
» 





StoS Bf tllB 




iVFj 




.Dnasmuch 




«! 





W 




?-'*>,* 




Class ___^ ^^''~' 

Book ^ 

GopyrightN°__ 



■^'"-•^ 



COPyRIGHT DEPOSnV 



THE STORY OF THE 
CHRISTMAS SHIP 



THE STORY 

OF THE 

CHRISTMAS SHIP 



By 
LILIAN BELL 

Author of " The Love Affairs of an Old Maid," "The Expatriates," "Abroad with 

the Jimmies," "Hope Loring," "Why Men Remain Bachelors," 

"The Runaway Equator," etc. 



i^jjll JLi^.>^. >u:^^ "^n^.a.U, 





RAND McNALLY & COMPANY 

CHICAGO 



Copyright, 1913, 
By Lilian Bell 



3^ 




/' 



»ro 



NOV 151915 

©CI.A414614 



To \ 

All dear children of my \ 

SANTA CLAUS CLASS ] 

who were beautifully unselfish in their \ 

eagerness to give their own happy Christmas to j 

their sad little cousins over sea, and who, by so doing, j 
gave the most wonderful birthday present the 
world has ever seen to Him who saith, 

"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto \ 

one of the least of these my '■ 

brethren, ye have done I 

it unto Me" ; 



THE CONTENTS 



CHAPTER PAGE 

I. The Vision Splendid i 

II. My Appeal to the Children op America ... 14 

III. The Santa Claus Class Is Organized .... 23 

IV. How London Spoke of the Christmas Ship . . 34 
V. How Washington Led Off 44 

VI. What San Francisco Did for the Ship . . .57 
VII. How THE American Newspapers Stirred the Imagi- 
nation OF THE World 68 

VIII. The Wonderful Work of Warden Allen's Men 78 

IX. What the Newspapers Accomplished in One Month 83 

X. The Marvelous Tribe of Go-Hawks .... 90 

XL In Which I Write the Song of the Christmas Ship 96 

XII. The Whirlwind Campaign of Los Angeles . . 103 

XIII. The Success That Worcester Achieved . . .113 

XIV. How Chicago's City Council Indorsed the Christ- 

mas Ship 121 

XV. What Prominent Men Said of the Work. . . 130 
XVI. How THE Dramatic Profession Helped . . . 145 

XVII. What Detroit Did for the Ship 158 

XVIII. Baltimore and Savannah in Line 165 

XIX. The Work of Generous Birmingham . . . .170 

XX. What Cleveland and Moline Accomplished . .174 

XXL Philadelphia's Marvelous Contributions . . .179 

XXII. How Sioux Falls Reached Out 201 

XXIII. Contains a Little of Everything, and Then Some . 208 

XXIV. What Brave Little Sheboygan Gave . . . .221 
XXV. Oklahoma's Sympathy Expressed 224 

XXVI. The Beautiful Work of St. Louis 230 

XXVII. Battle Creek's Amazing Generosity .... 234 

XXVIII. What the State of Texas Did 242 

XXIX. Omaha's Splendid Work 253 

XXX. Pages from the "Chicago Herald" 257 



viii THE CONTENTS 

CHAPTER PAGE 

XXXI. How Champaign Honored the Christmas Ship . 271 
XXXII. Stories of Self-Sacrifice 277 

XXXIII. How the Public Schools Helped 300 

XXXIV. The Only Interesting Statistics I Ever Read . 306 
XXXV. How THE Enthusiasm of Pittsburgh Expressed 

Itself 317 

XXXVI. Contains the Most Touching Incident of the 

Entire Campaign 332 

XXXVII. Final Preparations 336 

XXXVIII. Description of Sailing Taken from the "New York 

World" 343 

XXXIX. On This Shore and on That 348 

XL. Greatest Naval Honors in History Paid the 

Christmas Ship 355 

XLI. British Appreciation of Our Work of Love . .362 
XLII. How Russia, France, and Germany Expressed 

Their Gratitude 367 

XLIII. Tributes to the Christmas Ship in Prose and 

Poetry 375 



THE STORY OF THE 

CHRISTMAS SHIP 



CHAPTER I 

The Vision Splendid 

IT CAME about very suddenly. 
I was sitting in my room one hot summer afternoon, look- 
ing at the pale blue wall paper and listening to the whirl of the 
electric fan. 

It was the 27th of August. I heard the clock strike four in 
the drawing room below. How hot it was! How stifiingly, 
unbearably hot! 

It was very quiet. The stillness was delightful. My house 
stood on such a steep hill, we seldom heard even automobiles. 

Suddenly, from thinking gratefully of the peace in which I 
lived, my thoughts flew without warning to the trenches of 
Europe, and instantly war in all its horrors took possession 
of my soul. 

My imagination is at once my best friend and my deadliest 
enemy. It obsesses me and wrecks my peace for hours at a 
time, causing me to live the lives of people I never have seen 
and never expect to see; but their sufferings are mine while the 
dream lasts. 

And so I began to experience every horror I had read about 
or imagined. I was in those sun-baked, water-logged trenches. 
I was in that bodily suffering and that mental anguish of those 
helpless men, driven out to meet death as best they might — 
only avoid it they might not. 

I wondered how I would feel if I knew I was going to be 
killed — and at any moment! 

I know now. I went through it all — the vicarious anguish 
for the helpless ones left behind. I pictured the mental suffering 



2 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

of those men at the front, forced to leave their loved ones to 
starve — to die — or worse ; the frantic prayers going up from 
the anxious husbands and fathers; the sobbing prayers from 
the helpless women left behind; the lisping prayers of believing 
children, praying for fathers to come home, who even then were 
lying stark and cold, with sightless eyes and stiffening limbs. 
Oh, the prayers of the children! Taught to believe that what- 
soever they prayed for in faith, those things would God give in 
answer to their prayers ! 

Thousands of children were even at that very hour praying 
for fathers and mothers who had been torn from them and whom 
they would never see again. Yet the lisping prayers would go 
on, and on, and on! 

I thought of frightened babies stumbling after strange forms, 
thinking every woman was the lost mother they sought; per- 
haps alone in a forest at night — cold, hungry, and meeting God 
knows what fate. 

And these thoughts obsessed me until I sprang up with 
clenched hands and streaming eyes, crying out to an empty 
room: "Oh, God! God! God! What can I do to help those 
helpless ones ? What can I do ? I must do something ! I must ! 
I must! I must think of a way! Surely there must be a way 
to reach them — to reach them all, if I can only think of 
it! Those women and children must be taken care of! And I 
must do it!" 

I walked the floor, blinded by my tears. I forgot the heat — 
I forgot everything except that I must think of a way. The 
burden was laid on my heart in that very hour, and has never 
lifted since — the burden of the hapless orphans of the war! 

I pictured the flight of summer and the coming of winter. 
Every one said the war would last a year. Think, then, of 
the bitter cold of those north countries where the fighting was 
going on! It was hard enough to survive, when men worked 
continuously to keep the fire plenished and the larder full. 

Now what would they do? 

And Christmas was coming! In a flash which was almost 
blinding, I saw the desolate Christmas of war-torn Europe! 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 3 

Not a smile on the face of any child in the length and breadth 
of that devastated land! 

How I wished that I could send all Europe a Christmas! 

The idea had begun to dawn. 

I remember stopping in my frantic walking up and down and 
looking out of my west window. 

The sun was sinking, and a rosy brightness was over every- 
thing. I do not remember objects. I only remember staring 
into that western glory and thinking it symbolic. 

Light was here ! Light was there — and for them ! 

How could we send a Christmas to Europe? 

Nothing that grown-ups could do would be permitted a 
neutral nation. Still there was a way! 

We must be careful — oh, so careful — to do nothing to draw 
our peaceful cotmtry into the strife. But there must be a way! 

How could America send Europe her Christmas? 

The children must be remembered — the poor little kiddies 
whose fathers would never come home any more. We must do 
for them what their daddies would do if they had lived. America 
must take the place of dead fathers to living orphans of the war. 

How different a fate theirs from that of our protected and 
sheltered little ones, who were in no danger whatsoever and 
who were sure of a glorious Christmas! How eagerly would 
our children share their Christmas with their little cousins 
across the water, if they could! 

How gladly they would even give up their own Christmas to 
the little war orphans, if only — 

Well — why not? 

If only there were a way of getting the things over to — 

A ship! I cried the words aloud! Then I stood still, and 
the Vision came. 

The blue walls of my room seemed to fall away and melt 
into the blue of heaven, and then, under full sail of purple and 
gold, I saw the Christmas Ship come sailing, and flying from her 
staff was the beautiful flag of the Christmas Ship — with its 
white ground for Peace, its golden star of Hope, and its motto 
the single word — "Inasmuch!" I saw the gallant journey the 



4 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

Christmas Ship would make, being convoyed safely by black- 
browed warrior ships past submarine mines, and with every 
battleship forgetting its ominous mission for one moment while 
it dipped its flag to the peaceful white pennant of the Chil- 
dren's Christmas Ship and signaled her "Godspeed!" 

It was the Vision Splendid. 

The work of children of our land for orphans of the war ! 

Indeed, the whole ship seemed formed of children's faces, and 
children's outstretched hands, and children's beating hearts, 
and the ocean the ship sailed on turned, under its silver prow, 
from an ocean of tears to an ocean of smiles. 

And millions of happy children were on one shore — those 
whose generous hearts and open hands had filled the hold of the 
gallant, dazzling ship; while on the farther shore were the eager, 
hapless hordes of orphans and widows, whose straining eyes and 
haggard cheeks took on new expressions of incredulity, then of 
hope, then of glad certainty, as the ship sailed on and on ! 

I saw the faces of stern war lords relax as the children's ship 
sailed into their ken. I saw the faces of the men in battle array 
— in trenches, in hospitals, on the firing line — grow tremulous 
with feeling, as the thought that their loved ones were being 
remembered relieved their sickening anxiety. 

I saw the faces of myriads of expectant mothers smooth into 
content as news came that their needs were being met. 

I saw the grim lines in kings' and commanders' faces relax 
somewhat of their sternness when they heard the astounding 
news that the children of America were sending a shipload of 
Christmas cheer to the women and children of every nation 
engaged in war. 

I saw how queens would smile and how great nobles and lords 
and ladies would give their best endeavor to seeing that the gifts 
reached those for whom they were intended. 

I saw the great army of the Red Cross smiling as they, too, 
lent their aid to the Christmas Ship. 

I saw the tremulous faces of the old people on this shore 
and on that, those hapless derelicts on the ocean of life. How 
glad and grateful they would be for something to do ! 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 5 

Then my thoughts raced to the part we in America would play. 

The word "raced" is not enough. Thoughts came so fast, 
they came in pictures. 

I thought of writing an appeal to every child in the United 
States to play Santa Claus to some child in war-torn Europe. 

It would have to be printed by some great magazine or 
newspaper. I must have a daily paper, so that I could tell 
the children every day just what to do. 

In New York? 

Ye-es, if — 

How about Chicago? 

I know Chicago. I was born there. I know her people. I 
know the generosity of her spirit. I know the state of Illinois, 
with its lofty ideals and splendid capacity for doing big things 
in a big way. 

The more I thought of it, the more sure I was that I wanted 
to bring this beautiful idea, this glorious opportunity for the 
children of America to make history, back to my native city. 

I thought of how the churches and Sunday schools would 
rush to help — of the public schools. 

Three names came into my mind in the very first of the plan 
— Elizabeth Harrison, president of the Kindergarten College — 
I knew how she would approve; Mrs. Ella Flagg Young, 
Superintendent of Schools, and Lord Northcliffe, with his great 
string of forty-five British newspapers — I saw in a flash of 
intuition how he would cooperate with so humane a plan. 

An odd combination of names, wasn't it? Yet I am telling 
the story just as it occurred. 

I knew President Wilson would give us a ship. I knew the 
railroads and express companies would carry the gifts free. I 
knew that not a facility which could be utilized would be 
withheld by the grand and glorious Americans who make this 
country of ours the most wonderful land in the world. 

I trusted the children. I knew if I asked them to load a ship 
with Christmas toys for the little orphans of the war I would 
present an idea which would capture the imagination of every 
child who heard the plan. 



6 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

That was the first requisite — to get the children interested! 

The next thing would be to capture the grown-ups, for 
without them the children could do little. 

I had to think about that, for all my life I have seen godly- 
Christian women working themselves to death in church fairs 
hardly paying expenses, and never counting in the doctors' bills 
which too often came as a sorrowful aftermath. 

This must be an automatic, self-feeding, perpetual-motion 
affair, so fascinating that we couldn't keep people from giving! 

Ah, that was it ! I had it at last. 

Tell the grown-ups they couldn't give! Tell them this was 
the work of the children for children — and the result would 
be that the grown-ups would humbly ask if they might not be 
permitted to give! 

I tried it — you remember, don't you? And it worked to a 
charm ! 

Then, when everybody would be trying to give, I again trusted 
the children. I knew they would be the first to see that toys 
were needed least of all — that warm clothing was the first 
necessity. 

That also worked to a charm. The children themselves 
stopped contributing toys and asked me, in thousands of quaintly 
worded letters, if they could not give hoods and mittens. 

I could n't help thinking what a parents' friend the Christmas 
Ship would prove, for I intended to have the children earn the 
money themselves, and I knew that all the things parents had 
been vainly trying to bribe their children to do, without results, 
would now be done with a rush. I could fairly see the errands 
run, the kindling split, the eggs gathered, the lawns trimmed, 
the paths swept, the dishes washed, the furnaces tended, and the 
eagerness to serve would be one of the rewards! 

I could scarcely wait to begin to tell them how to go to work. 

While all these plans were rushing pell-mell through my mind, 
I thought of the Chicago Herald — a paper made up of three or 
four papers which had failed, and now one of Chicago's con- 
spicuous dailies. 

The editor knew I wanted to come back to Chicago to live, 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 7 

so I wrote him a letter telling him about the Christmas Ship, 
and the next day I got a telegram saying, "Can you get on 
train and talk over suggestion with me?" 

I knew from that that the plan had landed — that the first 
man to whom I had offered the Christmas Ship would take it up. 

I was in the act of darning a black silk stocking when that 
telegram came, and I must have been so excited that I carefully 
put it in my desk with the telegram, for when, two weeks later, 
I was unpacking my household goods in Chicago, I pricked my 
finger on the darning needle in that same silk stocking, which I 
found coyly tucked among bills, letters, and telegrams in the 
middle drawer of my writing desk! 

Of course I telegraphed the family that I had been sent for, 
and in the forty-eight hours which necessarily elapsed before I 
had my first interview with the editor I talked at a gallop to 
everybody who would listen. 

The train was crowded, and I had to share my seat in the 
Pullman with a man from Oklahoma. 

I tried the Christmas Ship on him, and before I got off the 
train at Chicago he had gallantly offered to organize his state 
for the work! 

Then I tried it on the family. I outlined everything which 
would happen. They sat looking at me as if they thought the 
madness which had always threatened me had descended at 
last, for I spoke of the ship as a certainty. 

My father kept saying: "Well, I hope it will turn out as 
you say. I hope these things will all come true." 

I got to Chicago at night and the next day at three o'clock 
I had my first talk with the editor. 

His first words were these: 

"How long have you been thinking of this Christmas Ship, 
Miss Bell?" 

"Since last Thursday at four o'clock in the afternoon." 

"You had twenty-four hours the start of me," he said. 
"I haven't been able to sleep since your letter came. It's the 
biggest thing I ever heard of in my life! How did you come to 
think of it?" 



8 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"I have a strange feeling about this Christmas Ship," I 
answered. "When I am dead, the books I have written will 
probably be forgotten, but I want the people of America to 
remember me as the author of something more far-reaching than 
books — something which dried the tears of little children and 
brought smiles to the faces of despairing mothers. You may- 
have all the credit of helping to carry out the plan, but I want 
my country to remember me as the author of the Christmas 
Ship idea." Then I added, "If you take it up, you will be 
making history." 

His eyes snapped. 

* ' I wonder if you know how big it is ?" he exclaimed suddenly. 

"I most certainly do," I answered him. "I believe there is 
not a possibility to it an3rwhere that I have not thought of. It 
is a living sermon, preached in moving pictures from the greatest 
of all texts ever written — 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto 
one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me.' 
That is the motto for the Christmas Ship!" 

"Great!" he exclaimed. "That will catch 'em! Now go 
ahead and explain. Tell me all you've thought out." 

So then the wildfire growth of the Christmas Ship idea which 
astonished a world as it was spread before the public daily in the 
columns of two hundred of the largest newspapers of the United 
States, I spread in prophecy before the Herald editor's eyes 
that August afternoon. I outlined the way the world would 
receive it. 

I said that the Americans were in a state of mind to receive 
a plan such as this with positive gratitude. They yearned to 
help, but had no way. The Christmas Ship would make their 
sympathy articulate. 

"You, being a man," I said, "cannot possibly see the far- 
reaching effects of this plan as I see them. I am a woman; I 
have thought of things like these for years. I know how women 
and children suffer and feel. This Christmas Ship will go so deep 
down into the hearts of people, that for years after the presents 
have been distributed, we in America will feel the effects of their 
gratitude. It will open the eyes of the world to the true America. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 9 

It will explain our policy in Cuba and Mexico. Diplomatists 
now think we are harmless lunatics. After the Christmas Ship 
has awakened the people, they will say, 'This nation has a heart. 
Possibly it also has a conscience.' Then they may begin to 
understand our soldiers' and sailors' behavior to their enemies. 
They may even understand our national ideals. Nothing that 
the world has ever done will have such an international effect 
as the sailing of the Christmas Ship. In years to come you may 
remember this prophecy of mine, made on August 31, 1914." 

I told him that news of our plan would circle the globe in a 
month, and that it would put the name of the Chicago Herald 
on the lips of every civilized person in the world inside of a year. 

I even said: "Lord Kitchener, himself, will take official 
notice of the arrival of the Christmas Ship. And queens and 
empresses will write us letters of thanks." 

The editor did not once say me nay. He seemed to take in 
every detail. 

"How would you start it?" he asked. 

"I will write an appeal to the children, which will take up 
a whole front page. I want you to use double columns and special 
type. I will ask them if they don't want to play Santa Claus 
to the poor little children whose fathers will never come home 
any more. I will begin by calling their attention to the fact — 
too often overlooked — that our fathers come home every night. 
It is a glad hour — the time when daddy comes home; and it will 
touch their sympathies to think that there will be a million 
orphans between now and Christmas, who will never see that 
joyful home-coming of their dearly loved fathers. 

"Then I will tell them what they can do — mention what 
they can give. I will visualize the Santa Claus trip for them, 
make them see the reindeer sleigh, feel the reins in their hands, 
see the lanes of rural England, the vineyards of France, the 
stubble fields of Belgium, the mysterious depths of the Black 
Forest, and the snow-clad steppes of Russia, through which 
they will drive! 

"Having thus captured the children's minds," I went on, 
"the grown-ups will come in of their accord, for, to paraphrase — 

2 



10 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

'Wherever the children are, there will the parents be gathered 
together.' " 

The editor smiled. 

"And what this plan will do for us, personally and nation- 
ally, cannot, at this time, be estimated," I said. "I believe 
with all my soul that the Christmas Ship, bearing the love of a 
nation's children to the orphans of every warring country, will 
so soften hard hearts that it may be the greatest factor in making 
President Wilson the Arbiter of Peace when the time comes. 
His good offices have been refused once. The Christmas Ship 
may bring about a reconsideration of that refusal. It will be 
the greatest peace factor any nation has ever put forth. The 
very flag I designed to fly at her masthead is symbolic of the 
whole beautiful idea — a white ground for Peace, the single 
golden star of Hope, and the motto in dark blue of 'Inasmuch! ' " 

The editor sat crouched forward in his chair, his hand play- 
ing nervously with a glass paperweight. 

"But, please," I begged, almost reading his thoughts, "try 
to keep the Christmas Ship in mind as an ideal of the American 
people, and do not call it an advertisement of the Herald, even 
in your own mind." 

He thrust his lips out. 

"We Americans are sentimental idealists," I said, "in spite 
of being the most commercial people in the world. We are 
children at heart, and we still as a nation believe in Santa Claus! 
You, being an editor, can't help seeing the Christmas Ship as an 
advertising scheme for your paper; but I see it as a world-wide 
philanthropy — an opportunity for the children of the Stars and 
Stripes to make history. You are thinking of your circulation 
and your advertising — you see it from the promoter's point 
of view. But don't lose sight of the fact that to the outside 
world it is an intensely humane work of love." 

He nodded his head. 

"Parents," I went on, "will see in the Christmas Ship a new 
and fascinating way to teach their children lessons of vital 
importance — such as the joy of giving, the benefits of self- 
denial, the sweetness of sympathy, and the dramatic contrast 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP ii 

between the horrors of war and the blessedness of peace. And 
the Christmas Ship will one day be recognized as a world-wide 
peace movement, which will bear fruit — no one can tell how 
soon — but ultimately, without a doubt. For I believe, when 
it is actually known that the Christmas Ship has arrived and is 
unloading gifts on the other side, that even soldiers on the firing 
line will have no stomach for war while the Christmas Ship is 
in their minds." 

The editor nodded again. 

"And think how school teachers will seize upon the lessons 
it teaches — more vital than any to be found in books, while 
clergymen, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, will find texts galore 
in its significance — especially in emphasizing peace, for they 
serve the Prince of Peace. 

* ' Oh, I can promise you that you will find yourself in exalted 
company, for the noblest men and women in the land will 
flock to our standard — educators, clergymen, teachers, thinkers, 
philosophers, altruists — all the mighty ones of earth, while 
sacrifices will be made by the poor, and letters will be written 
telling of self-denial which will be human documents worthy of 
being preserved in amber. The thought of our little American 
children turning from selfish plans for their own Christmas to 
sacrifice toys most dear to them, in order to render less sad the 
Christmas of a little child across, the seas whose father will never 
come he iie again, will wring the hearts of our nation — of all 
nations — as they have never been wrung before. So go softly! 
For you will be treading on human hearts!" 

"You sit down and write that out," said the editor, his eyes 
snapping, "and I will take it to-morrow to Washington and 
read it to the President. Write me a complete scenario of your 
plan, just as you have explained it to me; use just as nearly as 
possible the language you have used, for if you can get me, you 
can get anybody!" 

He got up and paced the floor excitedly. 

" It 's the biggest feat that ever was put over by a newspaper 
in the history of journalism!" he exclaimed. "It will make 
everybody connected with it famous ! And because you brought 



12 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

it to me, I will feature you as you never were featured in 
your life. I will syndicate all your articles in every paper that 
cooperates. Now go home and write the appeal to the children 
to play Santa Claus. Bring in the Black Forest and that text 
from the Bible — 'Inasmuch' — and the desolation over there 
— just as you pictured it to me. You know how! And let me 
have it. I leave for Washington to-morrow!" 

How I got home I don't know. 

As there are no flying machines taking passengers, I must 
have walked east on Washington Street. I hope I did not run 
over anybody, for I cannot remember that my feet touched the 
pavement at all. I trod on air and breathed pure ozone. 

When I got home I electrified the family by repeating the 
conversation, word for word. It seemed to have been photo- 
graphed on my brain so that as I write these lines and read them 
aloud to the family (I always try things on them — poor, long- 
suffering, patient creatures!) they look at each other and nod 
their heads and say : "I remember she told us all this, the first 
evening when she came home!" 

And dear me! How excited we were! We talked all at 
once. We are used to that. We have done it so much, we can 
hear all that everybody else says, and at the same time get a 
fair idea of what we are saying ourselves. 

We told each other what would happen, and afterwards it all 
did. We would sit silent a moment, imaginations all a-leap 
into the future, and then suddenly everybody would begin to 
speak at once. Then we'd laugh, and say how wonderful it 
all was. 

The Ship of my Dreams was to be a Ship of Reahty! The 
joy of it ! 

"I see only one possible objection," said my sister, "which 
other papers will seize upon, and that is that we should care for 
our own poor, too!" 

I almost stuttered in my eagerness. 

"Yes, I've thought of that! But don't you know human 
nature well enough to see what will happen? If the Herald 
takes this up, what will the other papers do? Sit down and 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 13 

write up war news — with the Herald printing heart throbs? 
No! Every paper will get up some kind of a similar charity, 
and most of them will be for our own ! Can't you see it ? Why, 
I can even read the editorials from here — each with a little 
side wollop at the Herald for remembering the orphans across the 
ocean while our own poor are weeping at our very gates!" 

The family began to laugh. 

"Furthermore," I went on, "all people need in a crisis is a 
leader. The moment this big, moving picture is flung on the 
screen for all America to see, the public heart will begin to beat. 
And I believe you will see such an outpouring of practical charity 
for our own poor and unfortunate — from churches, societies, 
and individuals — that this year all the neglected of the earth 
will be cared for as never before in the history of the world. 
I can see it!" 

There was silence for a moment. 

"Well," said my sister, "if I were in your place I wouldn't 
ask an5rthing more than the way you will feel inside, on Christmas 
Day, if this all comes true and, skeptic that I am on most things, 
I believe it will! And all that joy will have come to millions 
because you first thought of the Christmas Ship!" 

Tears came into my eyes — I was near the danger point. 

"Go to bed, everybody, do," I said, suddenly, "and let me 
get to work! I can't write a line if anybody is awake." 

At this cordial invitation of mine, they all stood up. 

"Yes, yes!" said my father. "You must work. Well, I'll 
go. But I'll tell you one thing. I'm glad you took it to the 
Herald. I believe that man will be perfectly honest with you 
and will keep every one of his promises." 

" 'Course he will ! " I responded, shooing him gently but firmly 
toward the door. 

As the door closed behind him, my mother turned back. 

"I bless the Christmas Ship for one thing," she said softly. 
"It has brought you back home to live!" 

Aren't mothers wonderful? 



CHAPTER II 

My Appeal to the Children of America 

I SAT up half the night writing. 
The next day I took my articles — I wrote two — down 
to the editor. 

He was all smiles and cordiality, and began at once to ques- 
tion me again as to my plans for transporting the gifts and as 
to the distributing facilities on the other side. 

"In England Queen Mary is at the head of the Red Cross. 
We can distribute through them. Some queens set different 
fashions, but Queen Mary leads in good works. She visits the 
wounded every day, and by her example she makes goodness 
fashionable. Queens are so wonderful! Think what influence 
they have! If she even so much as speaks her gratitude for 
the Christmas Ship, all England will loyally follow in her lead." 

"But how about Germany?" he asked. 

It is funny to look back on these conversations, for here 
sat this big man, knowing more of politics and the war and 
economics and everything in one minute than I knew in a year, 
yet actually questioning me seriously as to how things would 
happen which, I frankly explained, I had only seen in a vision. 

"Will Germany let Belgium have her share?" he questioned. 

Now, just between ourselves, I did not know how the war 
was going! Ever since I had gone through the agony of that 
afternoon when I actually saw battle fields, I had fixed my 
mind wholly on the Christmas Ship and had resolutely skipped 
war news in the papers. 

Still, I don't have to know things in order to talk of them with 
confidence! I can talk the best about things of which I know 
the least. Give me a good, solid clutch on an imaginary sub- 
ject, and I am up and away before you can say Jack Robinson. 

Therefore I answered, with my eyes shut, "Germany will 
be so touched by having her own orphans remembered that 
she will even assist in distributing gifts to other nations!" 

14 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 15 

I looked to see if the editor would contradict me. But he 
did n't. 

"And in Russia the beautiful czarina will help. And the 
kaiserin in Germany, and kings and queens, wherever they are, 
will realize what you and I have done, and will welcome the gift 
ship with characteristic gratitude. In Petrograd I know loads of 
people, members of the czar's household, professors in the uni- 
versity, and officers in the army. They will remember me, for I 
was there most of one winter. Russians are a magnificent people- 
Wait until you see how they receive the Christmas Ship." 

"You were abroad a long time — several years, weren't 
you?" he asked. 

"Yes, and I studied the people. I seem to know these 
orphans — to know how they will feel and act. I tell you, we 
have the most wonderful work in the whole world ahead of us." 

"We will be making history!" he said impressively. "Well, 
I am off. I wish you would stay in Chicago until I get back. 
I shall probably be gone four days." 

"I can put in the time! I've got to get an apartment. 
That means work — to any one who is as particular as I am." 

"Do it!" he said. "I'll telephone you the minute I get 
back, for we have no time to lose. I shall want an article from 
you, not less than seven hundred words, every day. Can you 
manage it while you are moving?" 

"For the Christmas Ship I can do anything," I replied. 
"You tell me what to do, and I'll do it. You won't have to 
speak twice!" 

For two days I heard nothing. Then one morning there 
appeared on the front page of the Chicago Herald my appeal to 
the children, so I knew the president had approved my plan. 

This was the way it went, addressed "To the Children 
of America": 

"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my 
brethren, ye have done it unto Me. ' ' 

When daddy goes to work each morning you expect him to 
come home at night. You would be very sad if he did not, 
would n't you? 



1 6 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

Over in Europe, where kings rule, millions of fathers are 
being sent to work — the work of war. The kings tell them to 
go and fight, and they have to go, even if there is no one left at 
home to earn money to buy food and clothing and pay the rent. 
Hundreds of thousands of fathers will never come home to their 
little boys and girls. They will be killed by the fathers of other 
little boys and. girls, who do not really hate them but who kill 
because they have been ordered to do so. 

You will have a Merry Christmas. You are looking forward 
to the day when Christ was born. You know that father and 
mother will be with you on Christmas Day. You know that 
Santa Claus will come from the frozen north, his sleigh laden with 
gifts for you. 

Have you stopped to think what is going to happen on 
Christmas Day to the children of Europe, whose Santa Claus 
fell dead on the battle field when father dropped with a bullet 
in his heart — the father whose cheery "Up, lazy boots, Kris 
Kringle has been here!" once awoke them on Christ's birthday? 

For these bereaved children there will be no Kris Kringle. 
His sleighbells will not jingle on the frosty air in the Black 
Forest, and the snows of the Russian steppes will be untrodden 
by the good saint's galloping reindeer. Stockings will hang limp 
and empty in many a French cottage, and the smoky chimneys 
of England will know him not. No doll for little Jane and no 
red mittens for Brother John. Oh, what a mockery at this 
Christmastide ! 

And Gretchen had dreamed of a set of dishes with roses around 
the edge, and a beautiful big bouquet in the center! Ivan and 
Francis and Paul and Marie — all their little dreams have died in 
war. One million Christmas tragedies — think of it ! You children 
know how big they are. And there will be suffering : the dumb 
grief of the widowed mother, who has given her all and yet 
stands at Christmas time with empty hands; the physical agony 
of the hungry and the underclad; the "sorrow's crown of sorrow" 
— that of remembering happier things. 

Children of America, if you could help you would, would n't 
you? And you may! 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 17 

You can be Santa Claus to those little boys and girls whose 
daddies died fighting for their country. You can stretch out 
your hands across the sea bearing messages of love and hope 
and sympathy to the children of a war-ridden continent — 
messages from fortunate America to unfortunate Europe. 

You can send that doll to Jane and those mittens to John. 
Yes, by the thousands. 

Ivan will not feel the cold when the stockings you knit are 
pulled up on his chubby legs. Gretchen's eyes may fill with tears, 
but she will smile through them when that big red comforter is 
wrapped round neck and ears. 

Don't you want to help? Of course you do! Listen! 

Let each little boy and each little girl be a Kris Kringle. 
Is n't that a fine thought ? Would n't you love to be that 
great saint ? Would n't you love to put your gifts in a sleigh 
and take the reins in your hands and drive the reindeer over 
the roofs of the houses, slipping down the chimneys and leaving 
your gifts for those who badly need them? 

Can you do it? Of course you can. You can help load 
the sleigh and you can shut your eyes and feel the reins in your 
fingers as you drive the reindeer up and down the lanes in Eng- 
land, lined with thatch-roofed cottages, through the vineyards 
of France and the stubble fields of Belgium, across the white- 
mantled stretches of Russia, up and down the highways of 
Germany, over the hills of Austria, and along the frozen Danube 
to the Serbian peasant's hut, stopping to leave a surprise — a 
catch-the-breath surprise — for your little brother and sister 
whose father is dead. 

You may live to be a hundred years old, you may travel all 
over the world and see its wonders and delights, but never will 
you have such a journey as that. 

How can you do all this? 

Just in the easiest kind of a way, but you've got to do it 
yourself to get the real joy of it. Earn money to buy the presents, 
or make them yourself. Every boy knows how to earn money 
that he may go to the circus. Ask father to let you split the 
kindling, carry in the coal, carry out the ashes, look after the 



1 8 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

furnace — and make him pay you for it. Save the pennies that 
are given you for candy. Deny yourself something. 

If you are a girl, could n't you knit a pair of gloves or socks 
or comforters? Would n't it be fine to know that the comforters 
were covering frosted ears and protecting delicate throats? 

And you must have some toys that have outgrown their 
charm for you. Send them! 

Then there is another thing you can do. Ask father and 
mother to beg Santa Glaus to give to a boy or girl in Europe 
one of the gifts that were intended for you! 

"Yes," I hear you say, "I will be Santa Claus to those poor 
little orphan children!" 

And then you ask: "But how can my gift reach the child 
that needs it? " By the train, and by the boat, and by the train 
again. 

And then you say again : ' ' But the papers say that English 
ships and French ships and German ships, all armed with cannon, 
will stop the boat carrying my gift." 

They will not ! England and France and Germany intend to 
salute the boat that is carrying your gift — not to stop it. Your 
ship will be a ship of Good Will. It will be Santa Glaus' ship. 
And all the countries at war will dip their flags to it as such. 

All you have to do is to provide the gifts. The Chicago 
Herald will look after all other details. It will organize a bureau 
which will answer your questions. It will see that your gift 
reaches the boat that will take it to Europe. 

It will see that your gift is put into hands which will place 
it in a fatherless home on Ghristmas morning. 

And the Christmas Ship editor will tell every day all about 
what other boys and girls in our country are doing in this work 
of love. 

Just think what a brave sight the ship will make that carries 
your gift to Europe! Can't you picture it laden with the thou- 
sands upon thousands of presents from the children of America? 
It will be officered and manned by the fathers of little boys and 
girls who will take every care that it safely reaches the countries 
which are sunk in the want of war. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 19 

Everybody who sees it will know what it is; for it will fly 
two flags. One will be your flag, the flag you love, the beauti- 
ful Star and Stripes. The other, too, will be your flag. It will 
be a white flag, and on its snowy surface will be a single golden 
star, the star of Hope. The motto on that flag will be the 
single word, "Inasmuch." Ask father and mother to read the 
sentence in the Bible which begins with that word. 

To Parents: Help your children to learn lessons of vital 
importance — the joy of giving, the desirability of self-denial, the 
sweetness of sympathy, the horrors of war, and the blessedness 
of peace. This is a world-wide peace movement that will bear 
fruit — possibly soon, but ultimately, assuredly. 

To School Teachers: In all your books can you find a more 
vital topic? Teach it. 

To Clergymen: You have texts galore. Preach this idea — for 
your Master is the Prince of Peace. 

The editor was gone four days. Then his secretary tele- 
phoned. Sixty minutes afterwards I was in his office. 

"I've got it!" he cried jubilantly. "Washington went wild 
over my plans. The Christmas Ship is assured! Did you 
read your appeal to the children of America I printed yesterday? " 

I nodded. 

"Well, you brought this big idea to me, and I'll show you 
how I treat my friends. I will form a syndicate of all those 
big papers which are cooperating, and I'll wire your articles 
to them. I '11 put your name and your picture and your article 
in every big newspaper in the United States every day! For 
once in your life you '11 know what it is to be featured. ' ' 

Then his whole body seemed to sink together. 

"I am tired to death," he said. "I am all in. I went to see 
the president and talked as I never talked to any one before in 
my life. He was sitting there all dressed in white, his face 
drawn and haggard; but when I explained to him my idea of a 
Christmas Ship, and he saw how it would make for peace, he 
buried his face in his hands and tears came into his eyes. 

"Did he promise us a ship?" I cried eagerly. 



20 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"No; not right out. But I think he will. If he doesn't, 
I'll buy one." 

"Buy one! Oh, you can't afford ^/ja^./" I exclaimed. "You 
must n't think of such an extravagance. What would your 
stockholders say? If the president does n't give us a ship, send 
me to Washington and turn me loose among all those senators 
and congressmen and ambassadors and things, and see what 
I can do. I have been sent to Washington before, and I got 
what I went after! I could get a Christmas Ship all by myself!" 

"If the president won't give me one," responded the editor, 
' * I could get Congress to appropriate one — even if he opposed it ! " 

"Now, you mustn't do that, either!" I said. "We want 
everybody to be our friend in this crusade. We must not make 
a single enemy — especially one as powerful as the president — 
and he could not be expected to indorse a measure passed 
practically over his head. No, no! We want his cooperation. 
I want everything about this beautiful plan to be harmonious. 
And just think, if he indorses it we have the cachet of government 
approval! Think of being able to say that the whole United 
States government is back of us ! Did n't you see the secretary 
of the navy?" 

"Yes, I saw him, and he was favorable. And I saw a number 
of senators, and all the ambassadors. Tears came into the eyes 
of several of the foreigners, and Congress cheered me!" 

"Did they, indeed?" I cried in delight. 

"The ambassadors accepted, unofficially, in every instance; 
but of course they must cable their respective governments for 
authority to accept officially. Several cabled in cipher, the day 
I W3,s there. Now — your work for the Herald begins to-morrow. ' ' 

"My work for the Herald began on the twenty-seventh of 
August, at four o'clock in the afternoon!" I said smilingly. 
"From that hour, every thought of my whole mind — every 
breath I have drawn — has been in the interest of the plan I have 
given you." 

"Yes, that is true," he replied. "Well, you understand 
what I want of you. Of course you must move back to Chicago. 
How long will you be gone?" 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 21 

"Give me five days," I answered. "I shall be back at work 
on the morning of the sixth day." 

The editor looked at me in astonishment. 

"Are you serious?" he asked. "Can you do that?" 

"Barring earthquakes or cyclones, I can. I don't believe 
you know how I can work! I am a human dynamo, where my 
affections are engaged." 

The editor looked politely disbelieving. I could see that he 
expected me to be gone a fortnight, and to send barrels of apologies 
and excuses. My fighting blood began to rise. 

"Did you get a request from my secretary for your photo- 
graph?" 

"No, I did not," I replied. 

"Then please get your best picture to me here as soon as 
possible. I will run a two-column cut of you at the head of 
every article." 

"That's the way they always do in New York," I said. 
"Now, what about the syndicate?" 

"I have instructed the city editor to attend to that. Turn 
in your articles to him, and I will do the rest. I will write a strong 
personal letter to each editor who wants to cooperate, telling 
him that you are the only one in the world who can direct the 
movement, because you originated the idea. I will make an 
individual appeal to each one. 

"Now," he went on, '"this is going to cost a lot of money, 
and I want you to urge the children to send us cash as well 
as presents." 

"Of course," I said. 

"Tell them that the Herald will bear all expenses — they 
won't have to pay freight or express." 

"You won-'t either!" I interrupted. 

"And we will spend their money wisely." 

"You want me to tell the children to send you their money, 
that they will earn, and to promise in my signed articles that 
the money will be wisely spent. Will it all be spent for presents? 
Tell me that!" 

He looked at me narrowly. "Yes!" he said slowly. 



22 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"You are using my name, remember, and my name stands for 
something with the American people. If I thought the contri- 
butions, the self-denials, of the children were to be used to pay 
the running expenses of the Christmas Ship department — " 

"They won't!" he said hastily. "I give you my word of 
honor, they won't ! My word of honor ! " he repeated. ' ' I stopped 
in New York," he went on, quickly changing the subject. "I 
never talked in my life as I talked those three days. I put 
every ounce of blood in my body into every word. But I got 
my idea over — I caught 'em! I took it to the World, and they 
grabbed it. They will cooperate with the Herald and conduct 
a big campaign. Look at these telegrams" — and he thrust 
a sheaf of yellow papers into my hand — "all of these big fellows 
are clamoring to come in!" 

Sure enough, I read long page-telegrams from the greatest 
papers in America, asking, "May we cooperate?" Then my 
face flushed. Tears stood in my eyes. My prophesies were all 
coming true. 

"Good-by!" I said. "I can't bear any more. My heart is 
so full, it hurts. I'll be back when I said I would." 

"Take your time," he said kindly. "I will attend to the 
syndicate while you are away." 



CHAPTER III 
The Santa Claus Class Is Organized 

CLICKETT Y-CLICK ! Clicketty-click ! 
My train was speeding away from Chicago, and wonderful 
things were about to happen. 

My thoughts raced Uke shuttles— first forward, planning 
what to do at home; then back to the Herald office, busy with 
Christmas Ship organization. 

Who my fellow passengers were I do not remember — nor the 
road I traveled over, nor the weather, nor anything. I was 
not traveling bodily, but just mentally. 

Reaching home, I worked twenty hours each day and got 
along on four hours' sleep. In addition to all the packing, I 
took time to write two articles a day for the Herald, for I wanted 
to keep a number ahead for the syndicate. 

Finally, however, the work was done. Dazed, but happy, 
I turned my back on a place where I had suffered many things, 
and went to spend the last night with a dear friend, from whose 
house we drove to the train the next morning, sped on our way 
by countless good wishes from the choice few. 

To arrive in Chicago, to unpack the car, to move in, to settle, 
to answer scores of letters, to write two articles a day, and to 
keep my head on my shoulders, was a feat I somehow managed. 
But I was borne up by the divine affiatus which never failed me 
during those days of the Christmas Ship work. 

It grew more and more fascinating. 

Sunday schools by the hundreds had agreed to help us, and day 
schools, secret societies, firemen, policemen, women's clubs, the 
Elks, the Moose, the editors of foreign newspapers published in 
Chicago ; and letters had poured in to the Christmas Ship editor 
until I could scarcely hold them. 

Just before I went away the editor had called me into his 
office and introduced the city editor to me. 

"He will help you in your Christmas Ship department," 

23 



24 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

he said. "I am going to give you an office on this floor, and as 
the work grows I will detail others." 

For a moment I did not understand. The editor was looking 
at me expectantly. 

"Is — is he going to be Christmas Ship editor?" I asked. ■ 
"No, you are!" snapped the editor. "He will help you.'' 
It was on September 7 I called my Santa Claus Class to 
attention with the first article by which I began to organize 
the fifty millions of American children to work for the Christ- 
mas Ship. 

My article was preceded by this introduction: 

To the Children: Miss Lilian Bell, storybook writer and 
friend of all the children in the world, has promised to take 
charge of the Herald's Christmas Ship Class and to teach the 
lessons the children are eager to learn. Miss Bell was bom right 
here in Chicago. When she grew up she traveled all over the 
world and visited the children who live in the thatched cottages 
in the deep forests of Europe. When she came home she began 
writing stories, and people have been reading them as fast as she 
could write them ever since. 

Miss Bell knows Christmas Day will dawn cold and cheerless 
for millions of children overseas who have n't fathers any more, 
because their fathers had to go to the wars and many of them 
will never return home. She knows what it will mean to these 
little boys and girls to have the children's great Christmas Ship 
go sailing across the ocean, loaded with presents from millions 
of children in America who will send their love and good will 
to their unhappy little brothers and sisters on the other side of 
the world. 

So she will take care of the Christmas Ship Class. She will 
teach the lessons you are eager to learn — she will tell you how 
to help send the big Christmas Ship. She will answer your 
letters — and there will be a lot of them — and she will write the 
stories about boys and girls who are helping, and how they are 
doing it. Here is her first lesson, which she teaches as only a 
storybook writer can: 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 25 

Christmas Ship Class — attention! 

Did any one ever have so large a class before, I wonder? 
My schoolroom reaches from Maine to Florida, from the south- 
ernmost corner of Texas to the highest point in Alaska, and 
takes in all that lies between. I wonder if you can all hear me! 
Those who can't, please raise their hands! Ah! I see a little 
red-headed boy in California and a little blue-eyed girl in New 
York with their hands up. I shall have to speak louder. 

Possibly I am not quite in the middle of the schoolroom. 
Where shall I stand, you children who know the capitals and 
chief cities of every state — where shall I stand to be directly 
in the middle of my small but interesting Santa Claus Class? 

Small? Oh, well, perhaps you wouldn't call it small. It 
contains several millions of children — no, madam, I did not 
say dozens, neither did I say hundreds, nor yet thousands. I 
said millions, for every child in the United States who wishes 
to send a present on our splendid Christmas Ship is a member 
of my Santa Claus Class. 

Don't you want to join — every one of you? 

I see quite a number of new members in Minnesota, and still 
others who were in swimming in the Gulf of Mexico when the 
bell rang, who will be with us just as soon as they can. 

I see a little boy in Nevada with his hand up. What is it, 
John ? Oh, you want to know what we are going to do. Well, 
that 's what I am going to tell you as soon as you are all in posi- 
tion. There's a little girl in Alabama sitting sideways and 
swinging her feet. Face me, my dear, and listen. 

We are one big manual- training school — this Santa Claus 
Class of mine. What? Don't you know what "manual" means? 

It comes from a Latin word which means "hand." So we 
are going to train our hands to work. Perhaps some of your 
hands know how already — and your feet, too ! Feet know some- 
thing, I should hope, even if they are not supposed to know as 
much or do as much as hands. But don't your feet do some 
of the work when you are running a sewing machine or certain 
kinds of scroll saws? 

So we can use those intelligent feet of yours also, because 



26 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

we are going to make things to send on the ship. And if you can 
make things which are too large to send, why, you can have a 
fair and sell them, and send the money instead. 

Don't you perfectly love to play store? I do. Only it 
isn't much fun to sell if there is no one to sell to; and often 
everybody wants to do the selling and nobody wants to buy. 
Then, too, pins are scarce and, of course, you use pins for 
money. But, oh, joy! In this shop of yours the grown-ups will 
be customers, and will pay you real money, for every one's heart 
is tender on the subject of the little orphans on the other side 
whose Christmas we are going to make. 

I have some dandy ideas about how to make money, and 
I '11 tell them to you if you will only write and tell me what you 
know how to do best. 

That's what this first lesson is about— to find out what you 
know how to do, and then to organize you into clubs and com- 
mittees and get things started. 

Some of you can knit, crochet, and sew. Some of you have 
good memories, and willing feet for errands. Some have gardens, 
and can make things grow. I know one boy who has an incu- 
bator. He is going to sell broilers. Another little girl, whose 
plants froze in her mother's conservatory, has planted lettuce 
in the pots and will furnish salad for Thanksgiving. Another 
boy has white rabbits for sale. Another boy has collie puppies. 
One little girl is knitting mittens. Another is making the 
cutest doll clothes — dear me, I wish I could make doll clothes 
like that! — handmade underwear, edged with lace, and the 
cunningest hat and sunbonnetl 

Now remember this: Keep your presents small. Don't 
start in to make automobiles and grand pianos and street cars. 
Make things that fold up into small space. And make them well, 
for remember, you uphold the honor of America. Let's send 
beautifully made things, so that hereafter Switzerland and Ger- 
many need not make the most of our toys. Our own boys and 
girls can : lako them. 

Oh, V' " rChristmas Ship! I am crazy about it! And to 
think it all to be the work of the children ! 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 27 

Think of the excitement in all the countries of Europe when 
the children over there know what we are doing! How many- 
foreign languages will be spoken as they talk about it ! It would 
sound like a bird store if they all talked at once! 

Then, too, think of this : Every child, every man and woman, 
will send us in return a thought of love and thankfulness, and if 
the whole world begins to think kind thoughts, that will end the 
war. War is a thought in the minds of men before it begins to 
act and kill people. Just so, peace is a thought before it can 
be brought about. 

So let 's think peace thoughts as we sew and knit and hammer 
and saw! Let's set our minds on the hope that this Christmas 
Ship, sent by the children of the Stars and Stripes to the children 
of every nation engaged in this war, will help to end the war. 
And let our watchword be — "Peace for Christmas!" 

Suppose we could put in our ship, and send to the whole 
world, that Christmas present which came to us when, nearly 
two thousand years ago, was born a Babe in a manger who was 
called the Prince of Peace! 

Would n't that be beautiful ? 

From the first, educators saw the lessons which would be 
taught the children of America in thus giving them a practical 
illustration of the working out of joyous giving. What possible 
blessing our gifts would bestow on the orphans could compare 
with the lessons we were keeping at home? 

For years I have realized the futility of trying to educate 
the adult public on any subject upon which they have either 
already made up their minds, or are too indifferent to think about 
at all. For years I have advocated beginning any necessary 
education we wanted grown-ups to possess, by teaching such to 
the children. And for years educators have strained toward this 
almost unattainable point, striving to reach the children by some 
means which would impress itself on their minds. 

With the advent of the Christmas Ship, letters began to pour 
in upon me, some of them surcharged with almost tearful grati- 
tude for the dramatic value of the idea. 



28 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

One from Elizabeth Harrison, president of the Chicago 
Kindergarten College, said : 

"My dear Lilian Bell: 

"I am so glad to learn that it was your thought which origi- 
nated the Christmas Ship. No more beautiful idea has come 
from this dreadful war, and I am proud to remember that I 
knew you when you were a young girl just embarking on your 
literary career. I well remember how you came rushing in to 
see me one evening — bareheaded, for we lived almost next 
door — with your first book in your hands. It was The Love 
Affairs of an Old Maid, and it made you famous. From that 
day you have gone straight on, my dear, giving to the world 
more and more beautiful books, until now you have crowned 
your career by the most beautiful thought of all — the Christmas 
Ship. 

"I read your articles every day, as you issue instructions to 
your Santa Claus Class through the columns of the Herald, 
and many of them I cause to be read aloud in all the classes, for 
they teach vital lessons. 

"We kindergartners, who for years have been training our 
groups of children in the joy of giving rather than in the selfish 
anticipation of merely getting, welcomed your Christmas Ship 
idea as a larger and more effective means of waking the public 
to this fatal tendency of barter and trade which has crept into 
the Christmas observance of to-day. This is to be seen but too 
plainly in the cheap and trashy display of Christmas wares that 
even our best stores are making to-day. 

"Entirely aside from the precious money thus needlessly 
wasted on useless objects, we felt that a greater sacrifice was 
being made in robbing the child of a beautiful opportunity to 
show his love through some form of service or self-sacrifice, 
even if it had to be diminutive and what, in the tired eyes of 
adult life, might seem insignificant. It is the spirit of Christmas 
we have contended for. This was being trampled under foot 
and forgotten in the mad rush of ignorant Christmas shopping. 

"When I saw the immense possibilities of your Christmas 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 29 

Ship plan, followed up as it was by your charming and most 
effectual Christmas Ship Class, I realized that a larger force 
than ours had come to the rescue, and I write you now to ask 
you, having gained the ear of the public, if you will not continue 
your crusade in your same forceful and straightforward way, 
urging upon our nation the simplifying and the conservating 
of our Christmas festival that it may return to its virginal 
significance, with the added depth among mankind which to-day 
gives us. 

"Yours sincerely, 

"Elizabeth Harrison" 

As it would take pages to answer all that this letter meant 
to me, I called Miss Harrison up on the telephone, urged her sit 
down, lean her elbow comfortably on a table, and prepare to be 
talked to! 

I can talk sixteen to the dozen on the subject of the reforma- 
tion of Christmas, and I did talk until my arm went to sleep 
holding the receiver, and perhaps more than Miss Harrison's 
arm went to sleep at her end of the telephone, for I was merciless. 

I told her I had tried for years to get magazines to publish 
articles of mine on this subject, but they would n't, so I had 
to put it over in a book. 

Magazine editors would write and ask me for new suggestions 
for Christmas celebration, but when I offered them the ones 
founded on the life teachings of the Master we all claim to 
serve, I was gently but firmly put back in my place at the foot 
of the class. 

"But now that I've given 'em the Christmas Ship idea," I 
said triumphantly, ' ' I have finally got my plan before the nation in 
so picturesque a way that people are falling all over themselves 
to do what I have begged of them in vain, pleading for them just 
to listen a minute while I told them — and they wouldn't! 

"It's a joke," I went on, "a lovely joke that I have all to 
myself, but I am sharing it with the children of the world. 
The joke is that from editorial door to editorial door for years I 
have hawked this idea of tmselfish giving to those less fortunate 



30 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

than ourselves. Yet now, lo and behold! it rides to a triumphant 
harbor on the high tide of public approval in the plan of a chil- 
dren's Christmas Ship!" 

Miss Harrison was agreeing with me, as hard as ever she 
could, at her end of the telephone, but while I had much more 
to say, I have a kind heart, so I rang off and doubtless the 
exhausted Miss Harrison tottered to the nearest couch and 
called for help. 

The next enormous body of workers to come in was the 
Boy Scouts, who are doing much splendid work everywhere. 

Then on September i8 we received word that four million 
Methodists had been officially pledged by the Reverend Edgar 
Blake, corresponding secretary of the Board. 

I append portions of his letter, because it helped to carry 
out my vision of the way the mission of the Christmas Ship would 
develop our own children: 

"The children who receive our gifts will never forget that 
in the dark hour of their need the children of America remembered 
them. It will establish a bond of affection between the boys 
and girls of to-day that will not and can not be broken by the men 
of to-morrow. As a protective peace measure for the future, 
the Christmas Ship is worth forty battleships and a score of 
Hague tribunals. 

"In this connection it is interesting to remember that it was 
only three or four years ago, in this very city of Chicago, that 
Baroness von Suttner, the great Austrian advocate of peace, 
pointed out to the National Education Association that if war is 
to be abolished the children must be educated in the blessings of 
peace. The Christmas appeal to the children of America, aside 
from its benevolent aspects, has an educational significance 
that is of the highest and most far-reaching value. 

"It will also help us to train our children in works of mercy 
and help. The slogan of modern religious education is, 'Truth 
never becomes a possession until it is given expression.' 

"We are constantly seeking ways, therefore, by which we 
may stimulate and train the children and young people in good 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 31 

deeds. We shall use the Christmas Ship for a great educational 
as well as benevolent appeal to our young people. If the twenty 
million American children, from five to fifteen years of age, could 
be enthusiastically enlisted in the Christmas Ship enterprise 
there would be unloosed a benevolent force in America the 
educational value of which would be incalculable." 

In the same mail there came the following pathetic letter. 

A big official looking envelope it was, bearing in the upper 
left-hand corner the words, "Illinois State Penitentiary, Joliet, 
Illinois, ' ' and within was a pencil-scrawled letter saying : ' ' Inclosed 
please find one dollar and an abundance of Good Will toward 
the Christmas Ship fund." It was signed by "Thomas J. Bent, 
Convict 195." 

Indeed, the Christmas Ship seems to have touched the hearts 
of the inmates of the penitentiary as nothing else has done in 
years. I received several letters and the assurance from Warden 
Allen that the Christmas Ship would surely hear from Warden 
Allen's men. It did. The honor men decided to give up their 
evenings, after days of unremitting toil, to the making of toys 
for the Christmas Ship, so I wrote the following: 

Letters are coming to me of such unusual character that I 
can call them nothing less than human documents. Some of 
them I am going to print. But never have I been so touched 
as by the announcement that Warden Allen's men, the honor 
men of the Joliet Penitentiary, have asked if in their few scanty 
hours for recreation they may not contribute to our Christmas 
Ship! 

Think of it, you free men and women who are at liberty to 
distribute your time as you will ! These men, after days of dull 
routine, will work at night on toys for the orphans of Europe. 

They needed no urging, no descriptions of what we are 
trying to do. 

From a complete understanding of unhappiness — from a 
personal knowledge of the dreary hopelessness of a Christmas 
with the pall of discouragement and dread of the future hanging 



32 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

over them — these men have shown that they understand the 
real meaning of the universal brotherhood of man by giving their 
time to help make the kiddies of war-torn Europe happy on 
Christmas Day. 

Surely these men will have a happier Christmas because of 
this wonderful deed of theirs than they have ever had before. 
It is bread cast upon the waters which they will surely find again. 

I wish there were some way for them to join our Christmas 
Ship Class, but that is only for us kids, and no grown-ups need 
apply. But as almost every society has what it calls honorary 
members, why can we not ask Warden Allen's men to become 
honorary members of our Santa Claus Class? 

Every mxcmber of the class who wants these honor men to join 
us, hold up his hand ! I never saw so many hands in my life ! 

From Maine and Alaska to Texas and Florida every child's 
hand flies into the air. There is no use to ask for the nays. The 
ayes have it. The honor men are elected. 

We are all trying to be trustworthy, and to help those less 
fortunate than ourselves, and we are all children of the one 
Father, so what is more fitting than that we should all work 
lovingly for the same end — to make Christmas a happier day 
than it would have been if we had not thought of our Christmas 
Peace Ship? 

You know you always think of it as carrying food and clothes 
and Christmas toys. But these are just the outward expressions 
of the thoughts which were behind them. 

You have to think of a thing before you can do it, don't 
you? Which do you think is the more important — the thought 
or the act ? Your thought blesses twice. It blesses yourself by 
making you more kind and loving, and as it blossoms into action 
it blesses the one who receives benefit therefrom. 

Good thoughts are character builders. Bad thoughts are 
character destroyers. If you plant good bulbs in your thought 
garden you will have a beautiful showing of flowers. If you 
plant weeds, or allow any careless wind to plant them, you know 
what your garden will look like! 

What do you think of war? 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 33 

Is it a brave and gallant thing for a king or a president to 
order thousands of men out to fight their brothers? Do you 
like the thought of human blood being poured out like water? 
Do you approve of the custom of settling quarrels between 
nations by means which cause such suffering to the wives and 
mothers and children? 

Who suffers the most from a war? Is it the men who march 
forth in beautiful uniforms, their bayonets gleaming, the bands 
playing, the flags flying? 

How about the women who are left behind to agonize over 
their beloved ones liable to die at any moment— and for what? — 
that kings may settle ancient quarrels, acquire more territory, 
or extend their commerce! 

These are rather long words, but you might as well under- 
stand what war does to those poor mothers and little children. 

The papers say that losses in certain places amount to fifty 
thousand killed, or even ninety thousand. When Vv^e really 
begin to find out what is happening over there, we shall under- 
stand the horrors which now we can only guess at. 

Now, then, does anybody want to send toy soldiers or toy 
cannon or toy guns or toy swords by the Christmas Ship ? 

Suppose a mother had just been explaining to her fatherless 
children how their dear daddy died from the bursting of a shell 
shot by a cannon, and when she opened the parcel of American 
toys sent by peace-loving American children the first thing she 
saw was a set of toy soldiers in the very uniforms of those men 
who had killed her husband! Suppose the next thing she 
opened was a box of toy cannon! 

Can you imagine how shocked she would be? 

Suppose we of the Christmas Ship Class cut out everything 
which could possibly suggest war. Don't make or send a thing 
military. Over there children are trained to expect war, to 
think it is a righteous thing, a great and glorious thing. But 
after this war I believe that sentiment will not be quite so popular. 

At any rate, we won't help to make it so. 

Remember, the watchword of the Christmas Ship Class is 
"Peace for Christmas!" 



CHAPTER IV 

How London Spoke of the Christmas Ship 

WITHIN three weeks we had a hundred of the best papers 
in the United States working with us. 

Each one of these newspapers, after the manner of Americans, 
flung itself into the work as if the loading of the entire ship 
depended upon it alone. They appointed Christmas Ship 
editors, organized a Christmas Ship department, took their 
cleverest writers from other jobs and gave them carte blanche 
to work up the enthusiasm of the people, both children and 
grown-ups, as each saw fit. 

These glorious newspapers crowded from their front pages 
telegraph stuff worth thousands of dollars, and devoted that 
valuable space to the Christmas Ship. 

I have traveled, all over the world, and truly, I never saw any 
country half so wonderful as America or a people so marvelous 
as the Americans. 

What if other countries have cathedrals and ruined castles 
and historic wonders which are hundreds of years old? By 
the giving of millions of dollars' worth of space to the work of 
obtaining and lading a Christmas Ship in a whirlwind campaign 
of only ten weeks, and sending, as gifts from our children to the 
children of warring nations, seven million new and useful gifts 
to make bright an otherwise desolate Christmas Day, the Ameri- 
can nation has reared to itself a monument more enduring, more 
marvelous in the eyes of posterity, than anything I ever knew 
of anywhere in the world. And I would rather have been the 
one to prepare the plan than to have built the Taj Mahal or to 
have been Helen of Troy. 

She is dead, anyway! 

The London Telegraph recognized the miracle Americans were 
accomplishing, and the following special cable to the Chicago 
Herald appeared in the issue of September 20 : 

34 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 35 

"Americans pride themselves on being the most business- 
like people in the worid, but they are also the most sentimental. 
"We doubt if such an idea could have occurred elsewhere, or 
if it had, that it would have been taken up with such charac- 
teristic energy. 

"The thought was golden. 

"Springing from a kindly heart and taken up by a kindly 
people, who can doubt that it will achieve the desired result not 
only by bringing happiness to those who are too young, perhaps, 
to be sensible of their loss, but also by reminding the warring 
nations of the opening words of the first Christmas message?" 

But then, even if we are sentimental, it does seem rather 
pleasant to know that by interesting a warm-hearted, generous 
nation we are preparing to dry the tears of millions of weeping 
women and children we have never seen! Is n't it now? 

Letters from children, quaintly written and weirdly spelled, 
poured in to me in response to such things as the following: 

We have had films advertised as thousands of feet long, in 
fifty reels, and as costing one hundred thousand dollars. And 
we think, "My gracious! What a wonderful moving picture! 
How expensive!" 

Have you ever stopped to think of the moving pictures our 
Christmas Ship Class is making? How many reels would it 
take to get us all in ? Would anybody be willing to sit in a movie 
theater a couple of weeks without food or sleep, watching those 
pictures pass? 

Yet think! We have only been at work a few days, and 
already by letter, telegraph, and telephone the offers to help 
come pouring in — from mothers and fathers, uncles and aunts. 
Young ladies usually busy with their beaux, and young gentle- 
men generally occupied equally with business and girls, all stop 
long enough to say, "Let us help!" 

While as for the children, we never knew how much gener- 
osity and willingness to deny self their little hearts contained. 
They just bubble over with eagerness. 



36 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

And the children are not standing back for any one to tell 
them how to start. They have started already. 

One little tot who read what I wrote about sending toys 
which fold up wrote, "My dolly's go-cart folds up. I will send 
that." 

Blessed little folding go-cart ! You are going on a long jour- 
ney; first you go by train, then by ship, then by train again. 
But when you reach that little girl— perhaps in Belgium, or 
possibly in far-off Russia — will you know, little folding go-cart, 
how to speak her language? 

Can a folding go-cart understand Russian, do you think? 
Or will wee Maria Feodorovna's cry of joy be one that all can 
comprehend ? 

Just think, you children of America, every toy you send will 
dr}^ some child's eyes, weeping for a daddy who marched away 
so bravely, never to return. 

You know what it is to flatten your noses against the front 
windows, or swing on the front gate, watching every day for 
daddy to come home, don't you? The coming home of father 
is something each child watches for every day in the year. 

War may rend all Europe. Stocks may fall, banks fail, 
prices rise, and nations fall, but to millions upon millions of 
homes daddy comes home every night as usual. 

Only — over there, the orphans this war has made watch in 
vain. They see their mothers stand in front of a big building 
where lists of the dead and wounded are posted. They hear 
the sound of bitter weeping. They see mother put on black 
garments, and the children feel the clasp of her arms in blind 
terror of the future. 

Mother sees an endless procession of sad autumn days fading 
into dreary winter and ending with a cheerless, empty Christmas, 
where once it was a day of rejoicing and peace and plenty. 

Then suddenly a neighbor rushes in with a newspaper in 
his hand. 

"Have you heard the news?" 

"No, and I don't want to hear. News has no interest for 
me. My man is dead, and my children hunger!" 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 37 

"No, but listen, neighbor. The children of America are 
sending a Christmas Ship across the sea, loaded with Christmas 
gifts for orphans of the war!" 

"Well, what of it?" says the widow dully. "It cannot find 
my children. We are lost in the great ocean of tears." 

"Nay, but the American ambassador has asked for your 
name! Your children will be remembered! Ah, neighbor, do 
not doubt the good God, who watches over His own!" 

"Do you mean that my children will have gifts sent by the 
children of the Christmas Ship? " cries the mother, who a moment 
ago was thinking that life was over for her. 

"Oh, yes; it is promised by the editor of our newspaper. He 
says it is sure to come! A great ship, loaded with all that we 
need — warm clothes and food and toys!" 

"Do you hear that, my children? Dry your eyes, and listen 
to our neighbor. Read it, neighbor ! Let us hear the glad news 
with our own ears ! ' ' 

And then the good man reads the story of how the American 
people, helped by American newspapers, are working every day 
to fill the ship. They hear how safely the great ship will be 
convoyed past the dangers of the submarine mines. 

Their eyes sparkle when they hear how all ships of war will 
dip their flags to one Ship of Peace, and the blood tingles in 
their veins. Once more they want to live. 

Everybody lives on hope. If it were not that we keep on, 
hoping for all the work we do to count us something, we would 
lose all the joy of living. "Where there is no vision, the people 
perish!" 

And for the millions of suffering hearts made by this cruel 
war the children of the Stars and Stripes have raised this Vision 
Splendid ! 

Is n't that a wonderful thought? 

At first I made no effort to engage the interest of the grown- 
ups, for I knew if the children came into the movement, the 
parents could not be kept out. So I continued to teach my 
Santa Claus Class. And the way the httle things responded! 



38 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

A whole scrapbook would be necessary to reproduce their 
dear little letters. Sometimes a mother or an aunt would do 
the writing, but the signature would be written by the child, 
and straggle across the whole page ! One child wrote : 

"Dear Miss Bell: 

"I am earning money for the Christmas Ship. My mother 
gives me five cents every time I get loo in spelling. This is a 
hard way for me to earn money for spelling is against my nature ! ' ' 

I answered this adorable human document "in the paper," 
for I thought her letter well worth printing. 

The children loved such talks as the following: 

Christmas Ship Class, organize! 

I am making my good-morning bow to you, my millions of 
Santa Clauses! Are you bobbing your heads to me? 

Do you know what pansies stand for? Heart's-ease! Is n't 
that what we are manufacturing by the ton for our Christmas 
Ship? 

And do you know what "manufacture" means? Again I 
will call in good old Mr. Latin Root — nice, kind old gentleman 
that he is! — to tell us that it comes from two of his words which 
mean "to make with hands." 

So then, manufacturing heart's-ease for our cousins across 
the seas means that we will make it with our hands. 

And isn't that what we are doing? 

Hold up your hands, everybody in the Christmas Ship Class! 

Miles of fluttering little hands! Long and short! Fat 
little paws and thin little claws! White and pink and bronze 
and brown! Some clean and some — well, some need soap! 

Organize ! 

When you have got together, find out what you are going 
to do. Make your plans, and then write to me. Write short, 
clearly expressed letters, and explain your ideas. I want to 
know what you think. 

Thoughts are things. Every time you have a loving thought 
for somebody else it drives old Mr. Bad Temper out and lets 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 39 

Miss Bright Smile in. That pleases mother and father, so you 
are making many other persons happy besides our little cousins 
across the seas. 

Do you know what yeast does to bread? It takes an old 
heavy-hearted lot of flour and water and lard and salt and says 
to it: "Here! Get a move on you! Don't sulk! Don't mope! 
Rise up! Cheer up! You are going to find a happy home in 
some hungry little stomach." 

So little bubbles of hope begin to rise in the dough's heavy 
heart. It begins to lift up its head, and very soon it can see 
over the side of the bread bowl, and it learns that there is a big 
world beyond. 

Yeast did it. 

Let's be yeasters! Yeast is leaven, and it is written that a 
very little leaven leavens the whole lump. 

Europe is certainly a lump of grief and worry and pain just 
now, is n't it ? Let 's get the yeast of children's loving sympathy 
into its sad heart. Let's watch the small bubbles of hope do 
their work. Our Santa Claus Ship will bring a smile to the face 
of all Europe. And when we see the white tear-stained faces of 
these war-made orphans begin to grow pink and smiling, we shall 
be glad we are living. 

Living is loving! 

I had not been teaching the Santa Claus Class very long 
before Sunday schools all over the country began to join us. I 
suppose I must have received a hundred letters from super- 
intendents of all denominations, asking for instructions and 
pledging support. Often the Christ-spirit was revealed in the 
simple statement, made quietly and without ostentation, that 
by vote the Sunday school had agreed to give up the twenty-five 
or fifty dollars usually spent for its own Christmas entertainment, 
and to devote that money to the purchase of presents for the war 
orphans. 

The spirit of the Christmas Ship was undenominational. 
Jews and Gentiles, Baptists, Episcopalians, Unitarians, Congre- 
gationalists, Presbyterians, Methodists, and many others came in 



40 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

by Sunday schools and churches, but it remained for the great 
body of Methodists to come in officially and denominationally. 

They came in as a body, four and a quarter million strong. 
They organized; they sent out letters, leaflets, and circulars 

Then Miss Helen Patten conceived the idea of further arousing 
the children's interest by concerted effort, so she wrote a little 
playlet which was printed and spread broadcast over the country, 
free of charge. 

The amount of money spent by the Methodist Board in 
postage and printing alone I think is worth serious thought. 

I wish the story of how much it cost the children of Am.erica, 
in money as well as lovingly given toil and self-denial, might be 
translated into every language and spread before the children of 
Europe, not in order to gain their gratitude — we have that 
already! — but that they might understand the depth of our 
sympathy and the extent of our love. 

I print the play in full, because it had such an important 
bearing on the way the Methodist Sunday schools responded. 

The leaflet is called "Christmas Ship Program for Methodist 
Episcopal Sunday Schools," and was distributed by the Board. 
It begins with a hymn, "Lead On, O King Eternal," and then 
comes the salute to the Christian flag. After that comes another 
hymn, "Fling Out the Banner," and then is appended the play: 

VOICES FROM OUR BROTHERS IN NEED 
A Boy of Austria-Hungary: I am a Methodist boy from the 
town of Ujvideck in Austria-Hungary. But the doors of the Metho- 
dist Church are shut. The day the war broke out, all but two of its 
leading men went with the army. The emperor kept calling for more 
men, and more men; and in our country they have to go when they 
are called. My father was one of the first to leave. He was in the 
siege at Belgrade; he will never come back. Mother sits and weeps 
all day. 

After father went with the army they demanded my eldest brother, 
even though his earnings were all that gave us bread to eat. Then 
Fritz had to go. He is only sixteen years old, but he is big, and they 
wanted him, too. And I go to-morrow. 

It has been horribly lonely. My eldest brother is in the hospital 
somewhere, dreadfully hurt, and we have never heard a word from 
Fritz since the day he marched away. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 41 

I thought I was to take care of mother and the Uttle ones. There 
will be no Christmas for them this year — perhaps no home, and not 
enough to eat. When mother talks of it all she picks up baby and 
sobs aloud. But I've got to go to-morrow. 

A Russian Boy: I come from a little town near Petrograd in 
Russia. Did you ever hear of that city? They used to call it St. 
Petersburg, but when the war broke out our people hated the Germans 
so much that they changed the name to Petrograd, because St. Peters- 
burg had a German soimd to it. 

Is n 't it dreadful to have men hate each other so that they can 't 
even bear the sight or sound of the other fellow's language? The 
war seems to have turned this whole world into hate. 

But if changing the name of a city was all that happened it would 
not matter very much. It is when a fellow sees his father and brother 
go away to die that he really cares. A father and brother were all I 
had. They are both gone, I don't know where. I wish they would 
come back! Maybe they never will. If I had a mother, or maybe 
a sister, I might not feel so badly. But what is to become of me I 
don't know. I am in a kind of orphanage now — I'm too big for 
that, and too young to fight. I can't find a job where I can earn 
money. I never knew before how terrible it is to be all alone in the 
world. 

A German Girl: I don't know what the war is all about, but 
it is doing terrible things in our little town in Germany. Every man 
and boy has gone at the call of the kaiser, and none of them seem 
to come back. Father is with the crown prince, and we don't know 
what is happening. No one wants to play any more; we just knit, 
and make bandages, and watch for news all day long. Everything 
costs so much. The money is going fast — it is all we can do to get 
enough to eat. The Methodist Ch-urch that we belong to — such a 
dear little church on one side of the town — must be closed because 
nobody has any money left to keep it going. There must be sadness 
everywhere. It seems as if the war wanted to take away all the men 
and all the money and all the happiness in the world. 

A Belgian Boy: The last I saw of our home in Belgirmi was n't 
any home at all. The war had passed over the town and left it in 
ruins. Lots of the homes had caught fire and burned to the ground, 
and so many people were killed during the fight! The soldiers took 
everything there was to eat, and marched away. Father came in 
and kissed mother, and went off to join the army. Mother cried 
while we packed in a neighbor's cart the few things we had left. The 
next day, with a few others, we left the village that had always been 
our home. 

Part of the time I walked by the cart, and part of the time they 



42 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

put me on the donkey's back. We went through other country towns. 
The hedges and pretty gardens and red-roofed cottages were all black 
and smoking, and only a few people greeted us, wringing their hands. 
We went on and on. It was dark, and I was so hungry and tired 
I could n 't help wanting to cry, with no home and no father. At 
last we came to a bigger town, where we slept in the street until they 
woke us up and packed is unto a train for a place in France. When 
we reached the French town the people took care of us as best they 
could. 

That is where we are staying now. They call us refugees, and 
there are hundreds more like us without any homes. What we shall 
do next I don't know. And oh, I wish I knew where father is! 

A French Mother (a babe in her arms, and a little child tugging 
at her skirts) : How can I tell you of the cruelties of war ! It struck 
our pretty village in France, and in one day swept away the smiles 
and laughter, and left weeping, and broken hearts, and broken homes. 
We gave husbands, fathers, and sons for the defense of our country. 
We saw them go forth brave and strong; we saw them return maimed, 
dying, dead. Hosts of them will never come back. 

Then one day the soldiers came upon us from all sides; there was 
a battle outside the town. The shells screamed over oior heads and 
burst in our very streets, causing ruin and death. When the firing 
was over the soldiers streamed into the village, seeking food and 
shelter. We gave all there was left to offer. 

Listen! My husband is one of those who will never return. For 
six years we lived together, saving money for a home of ova own, and 
for these little ones. This Christmas was to be our first in the new 
little vine-clad cottage. But he will never return; the cottage is 
in rmns; all help, all hope, is gone. My baby boy and girl are all I 
have left. 

I suffer, yes, but not alone. Thousands of women and children 
on this war-smitten continent, bowed in sorrow, approach the saddest 
Christmas the world has ever known. Oh, the dreadfiil ciurse of war! 
Pray for peace! Pray, pray, day and night! Pray that the Father 
of all will end this awful conflict, and bring peace upon the earth. 

The next thing on the program is called * ' Prayer and Sym- 
pathy Turned into Action. Plans for the School's Cooperation 
in the Christmas Ship Movement." 

Notes 

Costumes: The difference between the children of America and 
European children is so slight that little attention need be paid to 
costimie, other than a few distinctive touches, such as white apron and 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 43 

a bit of knitting for the German girl, a Buster Brown collar for the 
Belgian, and a shawl over the head of the peasant woman. The general 
characteristic in the costume should be simplicity to the point of 
shabbiness. 

The Christian Flag: The salute to the flag, embodying the three 
principles of brotherhood, service, and love, exactly expresses the 
spirit of the Christmas Sliip movement. The words of the salute 
should be written upon the blackboard where all can read them. Let 
one boy be prepared to give the salute alone first, then call upon the 
entire school to rise and repeat the words in concert, with hands in 
position. 

Plans for the Christmas Ship: Instructions and suggestions to 
be presented to the Siuiday school are contained in the Christmas 
Ship leaflet sent to pastors and superintendents. More copies may 
be sectired upon application. 

If used in latinching the Christmas Ship enterprise for the first 
time in a school, the main restilt to be brought about by this program 
is the organization of every class for some definite plan of giving. 
Such organization could be effected during the class session following 
the program, and the reports handed in at once to the Missionary 
Committee, or to some other committee in charge. 

Now, simple as this plan appears, its chief value consisted 
in the promptness with which it was circulated, its practical 
efficiency, and the enormous number of men, women, and 
children it reached. 

Four and a quarter millions! 

And from the manner in which the gifts came in, it wotdd 
seem as if every one of the thousands of Sunday schools worked 
actively for the ship. 



CHAPTER V 

How Washington Led Off 

'T^WO weeks after the Christmas Ship idea was taken up by 
-■- the press of the United States, it is safe to say that the 
thought of the world turned to the work of our children. For 
once in their lives they stood in the limelight of the universe. 
In Washington the greatest enthusiasm was displayed from 
the first. Little children, whose parents were prominent in the 
social life of the nation's capital, decorated their pony carts with 
flowers and paraded the streets, advertising their interest in 
and their loyalty to the Christmas Ship. 

"Ministers, big business men, and officers of charitable 
organizations in Washington," said the Washington Star on 
September lo, "are unanimous in their praise of the spirit which 
has prompted the influential newspapers in the United States 
to send a Christmas Ship, laden with toys, to the war orphans 
of the embattled nations of Europe. 

"That no nobler idea, and none conceived in a spirit of purer 
Christianity and good will has ever been placed before the 
people of Washington and the entire country, is the declaration 
of one and all. And that such an opportunity perhaps has never 
been offered to the boys and girls of the United States, as well 
as to their elders, for the doing of a work of kindliness, friendliness, 
and genuine good will is the further affirmation of many of the 
national capital's most public-spirited men. 

"The Reverend James Shera Montgomery, pastor of Metro- 
politan Methodist Episcopal Church, said to-day : 'The severities 
of the war fall most heavily on the families that are bereft of 
fathers, sons, and brothers. I want to give my heartiest com- 
mendation to this undertaking of bringing Christmas joy and 
gladness to the countless families in the warring nations of 
Europe that are now in bereavement.' 

"William F. Glide, president of the Chamber of Commerce, 

44 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 45 

said : ' The Christmas Ship to carry a little cheer to Europe's war 
orphans is a noble idea, worthy of the big heart of America. That 
the project will be a success far beyond anything its original 
proposer imagined I feel is certain. It is a plan in which every 
Washington youngster, as well as the children of the whole 
country, will undoubtedly be interested, and an even deeper 
interest is sure, to my mind, to be felt by the fathers, mothers, 
and big sisters and brothers of the children. God speed the 
Christmas Ship.' 

"The Reverend Earle Whilfiey, pastor of the Vermont Avenue 
Christian Church, heartily indorsed the idea of the Christmas 
Ship flying the Stars and Stripes and the pure white flag with 
the single golden star and the word 'Inasmuch.' 'It is an idea 
worthy of the nation which has advanced it — big and good and 
warm-hearted,' he said, 'and nobody, young or old, can, in 
my judgment, fail to respond to the appeal made in behalf of 
the fatherless little ones orphaned and in so many cases made 
homeless by the war that is ravaging the nations of Europe.' 

"Leaders in Washington's charitable work, without exception, 
have given the Christmas Ship their heartiest words of approba- 
tion, expressing the hopeful belief that such a vessel, bearing the 
Christmas remembrances of happy American 'kiddies' to the 
fatherless and brotherless girls and boys of the warring nations 
of the Old World cannot fail to instill a world-wide spirit of 
helpful brotherhood that will be a powerful factor in rendering 
another such conflict impossible. 

"Throughout Washington the movement is spreading. 
Children have promised their most treasured toys to go into the 
cargo of the ship to spread cheer to the children of Europe, and 
some of them have even promised to take up the needle, for 
they believe that the children will need clothes more than toys." 

A day or two later the following appeared in the Star: 
"Here in the capital of the nation all the boys and girls are 
working enthusiastically to carry out the plan of Miss Lilian Bell 
that gifts be distributed on Christmas Day among the orphans 
which the great European war has made and is making. 



46 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"The idea of the Christmas Ship, flying the Stars and Stripes 
and the white flag with the single golden star, and laden with 
toys for the bereaved children of war-torn Europe, is arousing 
widespread interest in Washington, and hundreds of children 
of the national capital are planning to add their mites to the toy 
ship's burden. Not only are the little folk making plans to give 
the orphaned little ones of Europe's warring nations a bit of 
Christmas cheer, but the grown-ups, big public men, from 
President Wilson down, and the ambassadors and consuls of the 
warring nations themselves, have given their enthusiastic 
approval to the plan. 

"The president has expressed himself as delighted with the 
idea of the children of America making Christmas a little brighter 
and a little happier for the unhappy ' kiddies' whose fathers have 
given their lives in the war. The representatives in Washington 
of the embattled nations have said, speaking with authority, 
that the Christmas Ship will be safe in whatever port she anchors 
and on whatever sea she sails. 

"Warships, they say, will not molest the ship of the little 
ones, with its white flag bearing the golden star and the single 
word, 'Inasmuch.' The leaden turrets with their grimly frowning 
guns will be no menace to the ship that bears the Christmas 
remembrances of little Miss and Master United States of America 
to those other little ones, who, but for them, would have no 
Santa Claus this year. Mines that line the harbor will be charted 
for the Christmas Ship, and it will be guided safely past them on 
its mission of 'Peace on earth, good will to men.'" 

The editorial that follows appeared in the London Daily 
Telegraph of September 19, simultaneously with a column cable 
dispatch describing the progress American children were making 
in assembling the cargo: 

"A charming idea occurred the other day to some one in 
Chicago. It has already captivated the whole of the United 
States. It will be received with gratitude and with a tug at 
the heartstrings throughout Europe, and especially among the 
nations now at war. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 47 

"The idea, as our New York correspondent describes it in a 
most interesting dispatch, is simply this: That the children of 
the United States should send Christmas gifts to every child in 
Europe whose father has fallen in the war. 

"America is enjoying the blessings of peace. Secure, and 
distant from war's alarms, her people can pursue their daily 
avocations undisturbed by the intense preoccupations of war. 
Her children are safe from the horrors of invasion such as have 
been endured by thousands of helpless children in Belgium and 
in France. Their homes are not subject to fire and pillage. 
When Christmas comes there will be all the serene and peaceful 
joys of Christmastide. 

"The American newspapers will see to the collecting of the 
myriad gifts; the children are to buy the toys themselves with 
their own money. The Boy Scouts and the Camp Fire Girls 
are working hard ior the scheme's success, and many of the most 
influential ladies in the States are giving it their active support. 
White House approves and applauds, and the ambassadors of 
all the countries now at war have promised on behalf of their 
governments that the gifts shall safely reach their recipients. 

' ' Nor is this all. These precious gifts are not to be sent across 
the Atlantic stowed away in the hold of some ordinary vessel. 
They are to be dispatched in a special 'Christmas Ship' flying 
only the Stars and Stripes and one streamer which is to bear 
'the golden star of Christ' and the single word 'Inasmuch.' 

"This ship is to sail from port to port in Europe with her 
unique freight, guided safely through every mine field and 
entering freely the most jealously guarded ports. And the toys, 
as we have said, are to be distributed wherever there is a child 
who has been bereaved by the war, irrespective of nationality 
and the rights or wrongs of the causes for which the combatants 
have fought. 

"What a delivery it will be! Where will the bearers of these 
gifts not penetrate? Great Britain, France, Russia, Belgium, 
Serbia, Germany, Austria — and who can be sure that even that 
long list will be exhaustive when Christmas comes? It will be 
the most gigantic distribution that the world has ever seen, and 



48 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

even so, there will be other orphans of the war in Japan, in 
India, and in the dominions who will not be cheered by America's 
kindly thought. 

"But the thought itself was golden, springing from a kindly 
heart and taken up by a kindly people. 

"Who can doubt that it will achieve the desired result, 
not only by bringing happiness to those who are too young 
perhaps to be sensible of their loss, but also by reminding the 
warring nations of the opening words of the first Christmas 
message ? ' ' 

I do not doubt that similar editorials appeared in the European 
press, but as none reached my eye I cannot include them in 
this book. I can only say this. In our hearts we Americans 
know they were written and published, and so we are appreciative 
just the same. 

Never have I seen an idea taken up with such avidity — and 
by the entire nation. 

In California the San Francisco Chronicle and the Los Angeles 
Herald conducted marvelous campaigns, and each newspaper 
showed its individuality in the way it worked. 

The Pittsburgh Press, in its issue of September lo, started out 
with the following editorial — the most majestic and lofty of any 
I have ever seen: 

' ' Infinitely wider in its scope than the boundaries of civiliza- 
tion, rising in nobility of purpose far, far above the horrid, 
deadly clamor of battle, the plan by which the children of the 
United States are to play Santa Claus this Christmas to the 
million of children who will be orphaned by the world's most 
awful war, carries with it the hope, nay, almost the practical 
certainty, of universal peace for all the years to come. 

" It is a beautiful, a wonderful thing, this pity for the suffering 
inflicted upon young, unoffending hearts, and any effort to lessen 
the grief is an enduring credit to the account of any nation, and 
is destined to be one of its proudest monuments. It gains im- 
measurably in effectiveness by being intrusted to the children 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 49 

of that nation. For aside from giving them the blessed 
privilege of giving to their orphaned and destitute brothers and 
sisters, and thus early tasting the actual joys of charity, the 
plan will assuredly implant lessons in the heart of each little 
understudy of Santa Glaus that can never be eradicated, and 
which should operate for the benefit of all future generations. 

"Chief among these deeply graven impressions should be the 
realization of what war actually is and stands for; the tearing off 
of the tinsel splendor and vague glories with which childhood is 
wont to think of soldiers and battle fields, and the sight instead 
of the grisly specter of death denuded of the brave uniform. 
Children will realize what war and battle bring when they come 
into close touch with the million or more little children whose 
fathers were done to death on the field of battle. vStrange indeed 
will it be if they do not feel a lasting horror and loathing of the 
very name of war. Stranger still if, in the years to come, these 
children of to-day, the men and women of to-morrow, do not 
continue the role of Santa Claus in a broader, nobler scope, and 
give the present of peace to all mankind, young and old. 

"The sailing of the Christmas Ship will be an act momentous 
in the history of the world. With an armament of toys and 
childish gifts, manned with good will and impelled by love, it 
is likely to sweep all the dreadnaughts and destroyers and 
death-dealing devices off the seas for all time by rendering them 
unnecessary. Carrying as it does the Christmas presents sent 
by the children of the United States to the orphans of the war, 
it seems certain that the recipients of those loving tokens will 
conceive a warm, deep, and lasting affection for the distant 
boys and girls who tried to make their Christmas brighter and 
happier; a firm bond of fraternity which no untoward event 
of the future could weaken." 

The wording of this editorial struck me as so beautiful that 
I cut it out and always carry a copy of it with me. I wore the 
first one out and sent for another, and that one is now growing 
thin at the folding places! 

It is an example of the heights to which a man may rise when 



50 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

in the grip of a powerful emotion. This was written when the 
idea of the Christmas Ship first shook the writer's soul. And 
he wrote it in the same mood in which President Lincoln wrote 
his Gettysburg Address. Indeed, I say without fear that this 
editorial from the Pittsburgh Press is worthy to be classed with 
that immortal literary gem. 

While I was still deeply moved by the effect it had upon me, 
I wrote to the editor of the Press, telling him what I thought of it. 

I did not know the result of my letter until the Christmas Ship 
had sailed — indeed, until it had reached the other side. 

Then I discovered that immediately upon receipt of my letter 
the Press had issued half a million circulars, printed in handsome 
display type and addressed to the school teachers of the entire 
state of Pennsylvania: 

"The children of America are going to send a ship full of 
toys and other Christmas gifts to the children made orphans by 
the war in Europe. 

"There will be a million orphans across the sea by Christmas! 

"Y^ou, as a school teacher, can help more than any one else. 
You can find no more vital topic an3^where than that one sug- 
gested to children's minds by the Santa Claus Ship. 

' ' Read the letter to the children of America, sent you herewith. 

"Read, too, an editorial in the Press, which brought forth 
this comment from Lilian Bell, the editor of the Christmas Ship 
department of the Chicago Herald, and the one who started the 
movement: Your magnificent editorial stirred my blood as 
nothing I have seen printed has ever done. Your understanding 
of the deep underlying meaning of our crusade gives me fresh 
courage. Furthermore, it is a superbly written editorial. It is 
a prose poem. It is lasting literature. Those paragraphs of 
yours, evidently written by a great-hearted humanitarian, 
deserve being printed in school readers, that children in years to 
come may understand the great lessons of "Peace on earth, 
good will to men" which we are hoping to teach.' 

"Read, too, what Dr. William M. Davidson, superintendent 
of the public schools of Pittsburgh, and Ella Flagg Young, 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 51 

superintendent of the Chicago schools, say. Their inspiring 
messages are also sent with this letter. 

"Then, after you have read these messages, read them to your 
pupils. Help the children learn the lesson of the joy of giving. 
Help them in their plans to collect gifts. Teach them the 
blessedness of helping others. You can help, too, by writing 
your commendation of this movement and sending your letter 
to the Christmas Ship editor of the Pittsburgh Press." 

On the next page was my appeal to the children of America, 
headed in large type by the text, "Inasmuch as ye have done 
it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it 
unto Me." 

The third page was taken up by the editorial from the 
Press, while the fourth contained the following words by Pro- 
fessor Davidson and Ella Flagg Young: 

"Good luck to the Christmas Toy Ship, for as long as the 
spirit of Christmas is kept alive in the world, and as long as a 
love of little children stirs and warms the human heart, just so 
long will good men and women everywhere continue to believe 
that 'God's in His Heaven — all's right with the world.' 

"When Charles Dickens, the great English author, died, it 
is related that little children wept in the streets of London and 
cried aloud, with genuine and sincere grief: 'Father Christmas 
is dead ! Father Christmas is dead — now Santa Claus will never 
come to our home any more!' 

"I fancy when this old war is ended that that childlike cry 
will rise from many a fireside in Germany and in France, in 
England and in Belgium, in Austria and in Russia. But may 
the sweet spirit of Charles Dickens so envelop the children of 
America that the Christmas Toy Ship will be loaded with their 
love and affection when it goes forth upon its voyage of mercy 
to cheer the hearts of the little children of Europe, who are 
waiting and watching by the fireside for their Santa Claus who 
will never return. 

"William M. Davidson" 



52 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"It is a wonderful idea — this promise of a toy ship to carry 
'a message from the children of America to the unhappy 
children of Europe. 

"A Christmas Ship — a messenger from America to Europe, 
carrying light where all is darkness, peace where all is murder 
and suffering, love where there is only hate ! It is a big thought, 
big in its immediate purpose, big in its unlimited potentialities. 
I see in it better boys and girls; finer, stronger men and women. 
I see in it self-denial and sympathy turned from abstract ideals 
to realized human attributes. I see in it all of these, and more. 

"I see fathers and mothers dwelling less on the horror and 
tragedy of war and more on its pitiful futility and needlessness. 
I see children growing to maturity with fixed ideals of love and 
sympathy and mutual helpfulness. I see murder turned to 
sympathy, horror to sweetness, and hate to love. 

"Of course, this is only a beginning, only a first step in a 
course which should be taken up and followed not only by 
children but also by parents and teachers and ministers and 
priests. Such things take time; just as all growths, all evolu- 
tions, take time. But the Santa Claus Ship is on the right 
course, its prow is turned to the rising sun, and at the end of 
its journey lies a greater and better and nobler world. 

"Self-sacrifice, love of man to man and child to child, broken 
barriers of race, religion, nation, and language — these will 
form the cargo of the Christmas Ship more truly even than 
the toys and clothes which comprise its material freight. No 
wonder that great men-of-war will dip their flags to the children's 
ship — for warriors, like other men, have in them that spark 
of the divine which needs only the breath of a single disinter- 
ested, selfless thought to awaken the highest and noblest that 
is in human nature. 

"Hats off to the Christmas Ship — to the flag with the 
single golden star! 

"Ella Flagg Young" 

I am glad, for the sake of my own soul, to get the cumula- 
tive effect of these millions of circulars which were printed and 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 53 

sent broadcast to the most influential persons in the world — 
day school and Sunday school teachers. 

To those in America, familiar as they are with our wonderful 
public-school system, it will seem marvelous enough. But to 
Europeans, who do not handle the school question as we do, 
will come home with new force the knowledge of the inspiring 
campaign the American press conducted, for we are the only 
country in the world where public schools are as common as 
blackberries, and where truant officers are employed to report 
all instances of parents or children trying to disobey the com- 
pulsory education law. 

You catch all the children we have in some school or other, 
for the law compels them to be educated, whether they want 
to be or not. So to harangue the schools is to reach the youth 
of the entire country. 

Not only were city schools thus interested, but country 
superintendents circularized the rural schools. 

Many teachers wrote me that they had subscribed for the 
Herald, and read my articles aloud to their pupils each morning. 

One that they particularly liked was the following, for half 
the boys in America — perhaps half the boys on earth! — are 
interested in wireless. 

Do you know how swiftly thought progresses in this wonder- 
ful age? 

Time was when the telephone seemed the most marvelous 
invention the world could possibly imagine. It took us years 
to get over the wonder of hearing the human voice over a wire. 

Yet now what do we have? Something more incredible! 
Words and messages transmitted by wireless — sent through 
the air. 

I wonder if the time will ever come when I can talk to a 
chimpanzee in the Island of Madagascar by whispering to the 
back of my hand! It would seem scarcely more wonderful. 

Why, about two weeks ago I listened to a sermon preached 
in a church a mile away. I was sitting at my desk in a break- 
fast cap, kimono, and slippers; yet I went to church just 



54 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

the same! What would the clergyman have thought if he 
could have seen his telephone congregation? 

One poor woman, who is bedridden, goes to church by 
telephone every Sunday. 

There is talk of adding an attachment to telephones by 
which you can see your listeners and talkers! 

That will boost the sale of raincoats and masks, I 'm thinking I 

But plain telephoning does not satisfy us any longer. This 
time we will use wireless. 

Now, there is an odd thing about wireless. I may sit here 
sending all I choose, but not one of you can get my message 
unless your minds are receiving stations. 

Wireless messages are flashing over our heads all the time. 
Why don't we hear them? Because we are not in tune with 
them. A receiving station must be equipped. 

Are your minds equipped to hear the plea the Herald is 
sending out for you to help us load our Christmas Ship? 

Are you ready for your wireless message? 

I am sure you are! I know that in the heart of every child 
in America, small or large, little girls and big boys, there are 
generous impulses. Possibly you do not know they are there, 
for what you exercise most intelligently you know most about. 

If any of your good impulses are dormant, they are prac- 
tically useless to you. 

Do you know what "dormant" means? 

No, Isabel, I did not say "door mat." 

A door mat is something or somebody to wipe your feet on. 
Personally, I have met many a human door mat, but we are not 
speaking of them. I said "dormant," which means "sleeping." 
Are any of your generous impulses sleeping? 

How much good are you when you are asleep? Are you 
very useful to anybody then? 

Of course, if you are noisy and boisterous during the day, 
you are most agreeable to the neighbors when the blankets are 
tucked under your chin and mother turns out the light. 

But, to be useful to the world at large, I should say that 
everybody ought to be wide awake. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 55 

Suppose we wake up! Suppose we rouse our sleeping gen- 
erosity and unselfishness ! Suppose we begin to forget ourselves, 
and think of the orphans this war is making every day. 

Did you ever think of that? 

Hundreds of little boys and girls in Europe have fathers this 
morning who will not have them to-night. 

Many a dear daddy, just as kind and good as yours, dies in 
the field hospital every hour. 

Some have died while I was writing that sentence. Some 
have breathed their last while you are reading it. 

What are you going to do for the little children these brave 
men have left behind them? 

Will their widows feel much like making a Christmas for 
anybody? No; that beautiful work is given to you to do! 

Is your heart a receiving station for my wireless, which tells 
you to get to work? Call half a dozen little girls together — ■ 
you fortunate children who belong to my national Christ- 
mas Ship Class. There are hundreds of children who would be 
perfectly delighted to help, if they only knew how. 

Tell them! Telephone them! Talk about it at big recess! 
Sing it! Whistle it! Dance it! Pray about it! Keep it in 
mind all the time. 

Just think, each new person you interest, and who gives a 
present, makes one more orphan happy! We don't want any 
child left out, do we? We don't want one country to cable us: 
"Presents gave out before they got to us!" No! Everybody 
must be remembered. Nobody must be disappointed. 

America is rich enough, and safe enough, and grateful enough 
for her safety and prosperity, to wish to share her plenty with 
those who lack. 

We want money — lots of it! Clothes — heaps of them! 
Food — tons of it! We can use barrels of flour, barrels of sugar, 
chests of tea, cases of canned vegetables and fruits ! Dried fruits 
would be most useful. Dried beans, peas, lentils, are welcome, 

California could stock us with dried fruits — enough to fill 
two ships — with one hand tied behind her. Such a glorious 
big state she is, and so generous! 



56 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

Texas could fill five ships with grain and fuel and never 
know it. 

The magnificent Northwest, so rich in soil to grow things! 
It could swamp our ship with generosity. 

The noble South, so open-hearted! It could kill us with 
kindness ! 

But nothing is going to kill or even discourage us. We are 
the bravest set of persons you ever saw. 

We know we shall have to work day and night. We know 
we shall have to answer thousands of letters. We know we must 
be responsible for the millions of dollars we know you will send. 

But we are happy to do it. Our time and energy and strength 
are at the disposal of the children of the United States. 

Do your part. Organize into clubs and committees. Read 
these talks I write for you every day in the newspapers. 

And work! 

What a joy it was to work for the Christmas Ship! How 
every one of us loved to do it! 

Please don't thank us too gratefully, you dear people who 
received our gifts, for if ever a nation had the time of its life, 
America did while filling the Christmas Ship! 

The gratitude ought to be all on our side — not only that we 
are safe from the grief and loss which make our help a sad neces- 
sity, but because we literally did find it more blessed to give 
than to receive. 



CHAPTER VI 

What San Francisco Did for the Ship 

TOURING the whole campaign, whenever a club or society 
^-^ wished to be informed as to what was needed, or shown how 
to organize for work, the city editor asked me to address it 
and give the desired information. 

I began to do this early in September, and kept it up until 
within a week of the sailing of the ship. 

Chicago is more particularly loyal to its own than any other 
city in the world that I know anything about. Just let Chicago 
discover that a Chicago woman is at work on a worthy cause, 
and, without any discussion, indeed without thinking or saying 
a word about it, every woman in town simply rises and helps. 
The woman looks around and finds all her sister women at her 
side. 

So it was with the Christmas Ship. The first club to invite 
me to speak was the Chicago Woman's Association of Com- 
merce. Its president, Florence King, invited me to address 
their first luncheon at the Auditorium Hotel. Miss King intro- 
duced me, and she it was who first put into words in public that 
I was the originator of the Christmas Ship idea. I told the club 
women what was needed, and how to work most intelligently. 

Hearing that I had begun this campaign of public speaking, 
the Daughters of Indiana, meeting on the same day at the La 
Salle Hotel, offered to send a taxi for me if I would cut short my 
luncheon engagement with the Woman's Association of Com- 
merce and hurry to their entertainment of recitations with 
musical accompaniment — a most delightful afternoon given by 
Lillian Woodard Street — and address them on the subject of 
the Christmas Ship. 

From that time I traveled all over Chicago and its suburbs, 
even over into Indiana and once as far down the state as Cham- 
paign, organizing the work. As I had no expense account, when 

57 



58 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

my expenses were not offered by the clubs requesting my serv- 
ices I paid them myself. I did all this extra work gratuitously, 
of course, being only too happy thus to stimulate endeavor and 
show the people how to make their work count. 

In every address I made I always called the attention of my 
hearers to the splendid initiative of the editor of the Herald 
in taking up my plan and carrying it out in so energetic a man- 
ner. A number of times I said that I thought I could not have 
selected a better man for my purpose, one who would have 
started in with such a rush, and I always especially mentioned 
the manner in which he had thrown open the plan to the whole 
American press. 

These addresses were helpful in showing the people what was 
being done and the extent of the work, for thousands did not 
know that any paper was interested except the Herald, albeit 
we frequently published a list of cooperating papers. 

California, being a wonderful state to begin with, a state 
where boosters are indigenous to the climate, undertook the 
Christmas Ship with sleeves rolled up and elbows squared away. 

The San Francisco Chronicle led off with the following 
editorial, September 28: 

"A great wave of enthusiastic and practical benevolence is 
sweeping over the golden state of California. All ages, classes, 
creeds, and national sympathies are being merged in a magnifi- 
cent effort to express the eternal truth that loving kindness 
for little children is the strongest emotion of our common human- 
ity. That wave was started when the Chronicle published the 
details of a scheme for sending a shipload of toys, clothing, and 
other useful Christmas gifts to the infants of all European nations 
now plunged in the crimson tide of war. 

' ' It was the first useful suggestion to all who had been longing 
to do something more than merely talk about the blessings of 
peace. Everybody wanted to end the fearful slaughter, but 
most people realized that wishes and even resolutions were 
powerless. Yet they felt that they wanted to do something 
to relieve the misery of Europe. General charity was out of 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 59 

the question, not only because the demand would be so colossal 
but because there was the diplomatic difficulty of possible injury 
to the pride of the coimtries concerned. Then came the idea 
of playing Santa Claus to those who have lost their fathers on 
the firing line. It was at once heralded as a master stroke of 
originality in benevolence. 

"No sooner had the Chronicle opened for regular business on 
Saturday morning than there began to pour into the office a 
stream, which soon developed into a flood, of packages, many 
by special messengers and parcel delivery, but most brought in 
by bright-faced boys and girls who had read or heard the story 
and who reveled in the thought of being able to add something 
to the cargo of cheer bound for ports of woe. By post came 
countless letters of congratulation, while the telephone was kept 
buzzing by people offering to organize local collecting agencies 
for the toys and other gifts. 

"It is impossible to print all the tributes received, but it is 
indeed gratifying to note the way in which the idea has appealed 
not only to practical generosity but to the popular imagination. 
The poetical possibilities have been seized upon, by many, who 
speak of the gift vessel as 'the world's great ship of peace,' 'an 
argosy of love,' 'a treasure ship bearing a cargo of comfort to 
the innocent victims of their elders' hate,' 'a galleon of God,' 
'a leviathan of love,' 'a liner freighted with kindness, steered 
by love, and piloted by the spirit of Christ.' 

' ' These are but a few of the gems of poetry found in the letters 
of many who were simply trying to express an honest appre- 
ciation of a great idea, and from the spirit they reveal it may 
well be concluded that the plan for carrying comfort to the poor 
children of war-torn Europe has brought out the truth that it 
is blessed to give. 

"The response is an eloquent justification of our faith in the 
inherent goodness of human nature, and strengthens our hope 
that with so much that is noble in man it can only be a matter of 
a little time when wars shall cease and 

"'Man to man, the warld o'er. 
Shall brothers be for a' that.*" 



6o THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

This is the first paper I saw which put into words the thought 
which I expressed to the Herald editor in one of my first inter- 
views with him, and that was, that America's sympathy was 
yearning to be expressed, and that the idea of the Christmas 
Ship would make the sympathy of a nation articulate. 

The Chronicle gave its front pages to the work, appointed a 
Christmas Ship editor, and took special articles from Helen Dare. 
And then, when the work was all done and the ship had sailed, 
the editor, Mr. De Young, was so appreciative of what the idea 
had done for his paper that he presented a beautiful silver loving 
cup to his Christmas Ship editor, Mr. Fowler, who declares that 
the inscription makes the gift invaluable. 

This paper worked differently from the Herald. We accepted 
no gifts at the office, although several thousand pounds were sent 
there in spite of our requests. But the Chronicle people not only 
received gifts at their office but took them just as the children 
brought them in and did all the packing themselves. 

This gave the paper an incredible amount of work to do, but 
it added enormously to the human interest. A steady stream of 
children poured into that newspaper office for ten weeks, and 
the paper enjoyed it ! The whole staff worked and laughed and 
sympathized. 

Soon, however, the space gave out ; so they engaged a near-by 
warehouse, cleaned it up, decorated it, put some clever women 
in charge of its receiving department, and then boosted the 
plan the way California always does things. 

Of course it sounded funny to us to hear them call it "The 
Chronicle's Christmas Ship!" But each paper owned it, for the 
time being, and we soon got used to seeing it called "The Press 
Christmas Ship " in Pittsburgh papers, "The Republic's Christmas 
Ship" in St. Louis, "The North American's Christmas Ship" 
in Philadelphia, and "The World's Christmas Ship" in New York. 

Indeed, these last two came pretty near to being the whole 
truth of the matter; for it was the North Americans' Christmas 
Ship when it sailed, and the World's Christmas Ship when it 
arrived in Europe! 

The Chronicle got ahead of itself and tripped over its own 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 6i 

skirts, however, when it announced that "The Chronicle and the 
Chicago Herald have chartered a ship, which will convey America's 
good- will offerings to the countries of Europe." But nobody 
cared. When you talk fast you often put things you intend to 
do into the past tense. And this only goes to show California's 
generosity. If the Herald editor really had been obliged to buy 
a ship, as he had threatened, you can all see that the Chronicle 
would have joined him. 

I have written personal letters, sometimes two or three of 
them, to each of the papers which conducted regular campaigns 
for the Christmas Ship, and in most cases editors have sent the 
files I requested. Wherever I have been unable to gather 
material from which to vvrrite as much as I wished, I have endeav- 
ored to supplement the lack by reports from near-by centers or 
Herald reprints. 

But whenever the Christmas Ship editor of a paper has 
responded by sending a complete file, I have made it a point to sit 
down with that pile of newspapers and two pocket handkerchiefs, 
and read every line that was printed, thus thoroughly to saturate 
my soul with the spirit of the campaign. 

Before I got through, my handkerchiefs were just as saturated 
as my soul, for — cry? Why, I have nearly wept aloud over some 
of the things that have been done. 

Talk about writing novels ! For sheer pathos, the log of the 
Christmas Ship, as kept day by day in the leading papers of the 
United States, surpasses anything that any novel writer ever put 
between the board covers of a book. Charles Dickens, weeping 
over the death of his own Little Nell, never reached greater 
heights of pathos than did the San Francisco Chronicle and the 
Pittsburgh Press and the Des Moines Capital in their plain, every- 
day columns. 

I quote one of Helen Dare's articles in the Chronicle: 

"There's a pair of little bronze shoes among the contributions 
to the Christmas Ship cargo — baby shoes. 

"They are strangely appealing, curiously interesting little 
shoes, of a style that 's not been seen for many a year. Perhaps 



62 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

mothers with sons in college and daughters who have 'come out' 
have little shoes like these put away in some safe place — the 
bottom of a box of laces or the back of a bureau drawer — from 
which they take them sometimes and muse over them. Mothers 
have a way of doing that sort of thing sometimes. 

"The toes of these little bronze shoes are scuffed a little — 
such a very little ; and there 's a crease in the heel where the baby 
that wore them pressed down on them with restless, paddling 
little pink feet. The soles are unmarked, telling that baby had 
not yet reached the walking stage — except to walk, with 
protecting arms upholding, on mother's lap. 

"In each little bronze shoe is a pair of fine, soft baby stock- 
ings, also of a vintage of a generation ago. 

"They were brought in in a small box, daintily wrapped, 
and offered across our receiving table in Christmas Ship head- 
quarters by a woman no longer young — quiet, careworn, and 
with an expression of gentle resignation — the kind of woman 
you would ask to do you a service or put you right on your way 
in a city street. 

"'Toys?' asked the volunteer assistant who received them, 
largely from force of habit and because the woman who gave the 
parcel did not name its contents. 

"'Ye-es,' hesitatingly answered the woman who gave them; 
and when the little box was opened to put what it contained on 
the toy shelf, there were the little bronze shoes snuggling close 
together. 

"Very tenderly, very gently, were they put in a safe place 
by the good women who give their service in headquarters — 
because of the 'something' about this gift that spoke of love and 
loss and sorrow, and then this tender sacrifice; because of that 
'something' about these little bronze shoes that the woman-heart 
senses instinctively. 

"And these little bronze shoes, with their unworn soles and 
scuffed toes, stand for what is without doubt the most beautiful, 
the finest thing in this whole project of sending the Christmas 
Ship across the sea to cheer and comfort the children of those 
desperate, determined warring nations. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 63 

"They tell us — mutely, but how certainly! — that the 
thousands of gifts pouring in for the Christmas Ship are not 
merely material, philanthropic offerings — not just charity from 
a carelessly generous people — but tokens the giving of which was 
actuated by sentiments of the greatest tenderness. They tell 
us that the feeling behind the gifts is what will make this Christ- 
mas Ship one of the notable things in the history of mankind — 
a symbol of the progress of civilization. 

"Came also to the Christmas Ship headquarters a parcel 
carefully wrapped, with its list of contents on the outside; left 
with us by a mother who said: 'I would not part with these 
things for any other purpose. They are sacred to me because 
my baby — that I lost — wore them, for a little while. Promise 
me that they will go together to one baby — to make one war- 
baby comfortable,' and on this promise, that will be faithfully 
kept, the layette of pretty, tiny garments was added to the 
Christmas Ship treasures. 

"Came a man, grave and a little diffident, who asked if toys 
that have been used would be accepted, ' because I lost my little 
girl when she was eight, and she had nine dolls and some other 
toys that I have kept with me; and I would like to give them to 
this work you are doing for those poor children whose fathers 
are at war.' 

"Came a cash contribution from Livermore, with a little 
note saying: 'My three little ones have passed away; so please 
accept this as from them.' 

"Pinned to a fine little silk-embroidered flannel 'pettie' for 
a baby was this message: 'The dear fingers that embroidered 
this skirt have gone to a better land, and I send it with a prayer 
that it may help to keep some baby warm, and that peace soon 
may end this terrible war.' 

"It is with such tender thoughts, such treasured offerings, 
that the Christmas Ship, carrying a nation's good cheer to 
children, will be laden." 

San Francisco did the most sewing for the Christmas Ship 
of any city. During the four weeks of its whirlwind campaign — 



64 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

for the Chronicle did not come in until September 26, and the 
train bearing the enormous placards on four freight cars, "San 
Francisco Gifts for the Christmas Ship," left the Golden Gate 
city on October 2 5 — there was printed in a conspicuous part 
of the Christmas Ship page a list of places where ladies might 
go to sew. Some went all day; some half a day. Some gave 
single days; others were there during the entire week. This 
enabled those who could not give money to give their time and 
skill, which were worth more than money. 

Many smaller towns used the idea of sewing centers, and 
ladies neglected their own sewing to work daily for the Christmas 
Ship. 

When it became known that the Jason must sail several weeks 
sooner than we had planned, the work went forward with a rush 
that almost took the breath away. You know, a thing that 
requires more energy than you have and more ingenuity than you 
possess and more hurry than you can accomplish, never daunts 
an American! The more impossible a measure is, the more 
delightedly we rise to the occasion. 

Indeed, a certain breathless necessity for us to hurry our 
heads off, adds just that delicious zest which we, as a nation, seem 
to need in order properly to enjoy ourselves. 

Was anything forgotten? No, I think not. For, realizing 
that war destroys as completely as earthquakes, the San Fran- 
ciscans put into these last boxes scissors, needles, thread, thimbles, 
buttons, tape, safety pins, and patterns and, tucked in at the last 
minute, were bolts of cloth, some untouched and some cut into 
patterns there was no time to make up. Other mothers would 
sew those seams our fingers could not quite manage. 

Oh, the unfinished work of the women of the world! How, 
even at the last, the tired fingers try to prepare the work left, 
of necessity undone, that those who must take it up might find 
it easy! 

I think the unfinished work in those boxes from San Francisco 
is typical of all the motherhood-thought of the women of the 
world. When their life work is over, the last, blessed thought 
of women is to make the work easy for the one who will finish it. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 65 

Many tears fell from my eyes as I read those last descrip- 
tions in the Chronicle — the pictures they presented seemed so 
inexpressibly touching. 

The following is one of the human documents of which the 
Chronicle was full: 

"It already has been pointed out that the inclosure of a 
letter from the American donor of toys or clothes to the European 
recipient may originate a correspondence backward and forward 
across the Atlantic of the highest educational force and value. 
One bright little girl of some nine summers, who poked a nattily 
dressed doll across the Chronicle counter this morning, stamped 
her foot imperiously as the somewhat blundering male took her 
gift from her and said, 'Be careful now, or you'll drop my letter.' 

"She had indeed attached a note to her present, a note which, 
perhaps, would be received in some poor hut on the snow-clad 
steppes of Russia two or three months later. It reads : ' Dear 
Little Sister over the Sea: I hope you will like my dolly. It 
is the best I've got. I am writing you a letter which I want 
you to answer. Tell me about your country and your house, 
will you? I will write back and tell 3^ou about San Francisco 
then. I know you would like to hear about it. I am sorry 
your daddy won't come home any more. You poor little thing, 
I would like to hug you. If you cannot read this get some one 
to turn it into your language. If you cannot write English, 
never mind. Write me in your talk, and I will have some one 
read it to me in English. Good-by, dear little sister, and I do 
hope that the awful war will soon be done.' 

"The spelling was not quite so accurate as that in the above 
reproduction, but it was very good for a child of nine. The 
handwriting was not above reproach; some people who have 
attained more years, though, have a chirography far more 
illegible. It was a very earnest, whole-souled little note, never- 
theless, and one full of the real spirit of good will." 

And not very long afterwards came this touching description 
of the way children gave: 



66 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"The little girls in one of our orphanages heard about the 
Christmas Ship, along with all the other children in the schools, 
and grieved that they, having nothing of their own, could send 
nothing overseas; all except little Marie. 

"Little Marie confided to her chum that she would send her 
petticoat. Little Chum tried to dissuade her, with the reminder 
that she was wearing the petticoat. 

' ' ' Never mind, ' said little Marie ; 'I '11 wait until it is laundered, 
and I '11 give it to the postman to take down to where they are 
getting the presents for the Christmas Ship.' 

'"Won't that be stealing?' asked Little Chum. 

"'No!' said little Marie; 'it is my very own. My mamma 
made it before she went to heaven; and I'm sure she wouldn't 
mind — she was so good.'" 

Children in San Francisco and vicinity literally gave the 
clothes off their backs for the war orphans. Little boys would 
come stamping into the Christmas Ship receiving station and 
ask, "Could you use such a coat as I've got on?" And upon 
obtaining a delighted affirmative from the volunteer ladies 
in charge, off would come the thick, warm coat, and with a 
shrug of sturdy shoulders, to show that the sacrifice meant 
nothing — wasn't worth mentioning; glad he was to think 
some boy whose daddy would never come home again would 
get such a good coat — out would dash the small hero, the 
embryo Sir Walter Raleigh, shedding his cloak that his brother 
instead of his queen might pass to comfort because of it. 

This happened a number of times. Children, both boys 
and girls, gave their warmest cloaks, and contented themselves 
with something of scantier comfort. 

Are n 't these things examples of the Christ-spirit, oh, you 
kings and queens who think wi th wonder of the riches of America, 
in that we could spare so much without missing it? Perhaps 
some things that we sent were missed! The Christmas Ship 
was not laden by the rich in purse. No! A thousand times, 
no! It was laden by the poor, or by those who know what it 
is to lack, while the well-to-do filled in the rest. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 67 

Isn't that true, you Americans who gave and who knew? 

I have studied the files of every newspaper I could lay my 
hands on, and more and more I have come to the conclusion 
that the ruling contribution to the Christmas Ship was self- 
sacrifice, in one form or another, and spurred to increasing en- 
deavor by the Christly words, "Inasmuch as ye have done it 
unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto 
Me." 

It is probable that their recent experiences with the earth- 
quake is responsible not only for the spontaneous generosity 
of San Franciscans but also for the character of their gifts. In 
the very first appeal the editor called attention to the number 
of posthumous children who would be born, and to the con- 
ditions of misery which would attend their birth, so that layettes 
were among the most frequent contributions, and literally thou- 
sands of complete infants' outfits came from the women of 
San Francisco. 

Oh, if I could only go among those noble women and men 
personally, and express in words the gratitude I feel, how glad 
I would be of the opportunity ! I feel an actual, living affection 
for them, which they must find in the pages of this book. 



CHAPTER VII 

How THE American Newspapers Stirred the Imagination 

OF THE World 

NOT a day passed that several newspapers did not ask to be 
counted in, as if it were a blessed privilege, while the 
governor of every state telegraphed his approval in words of 
strongest commendation. 

I quote a few, which came to the Herald, addressed to the 
Christmas Ship editor: 

' ' I heartily approve your plan to send ship laden with Christ- 
mas gifts for widows and orphans of soldiers in war-torn Europe. 
I believe there will be a hearty response to your appeal. Men 
and women all over the world have largely the same impulses 
and feelings. Anything that brings feelings of one brotherhood 
uplifts humanity and hastens the time of universal peace. 
"Joseph M. Carey, Governor of Wyoming" 

' ' I wish most heartily to congratulate you upon your plan to 
send abroad a Christmas Ship laden with gifts for widows and 
orphans of soldiers who participated in the European war. I 
believe your purpose a most commendable one. 

"Park Trammell, Governor of Florida" 

"I heartily approve the idea of the Christmas Ship. Let 
it bear material aid, relief, and comfort to victims of the deplor- 
able conditions resulting from war, but especially let it bear a 
message of good will, sympathy, and love from children in pros- 
perous, peaceful America to those in the shadow and desolation 
of war. Across the sea let it be the bearer of the kindly spirit 
of our people through the Christmas gifts of the children of this 
land to the distracted countries engaged in this deplorable strife. 
"Frank M. Bryne, Governor of South Dakota" 

"The proposed action of the Chicago Herald, cooperating 
with other newspapers, in sending a Christmas Ship laden with 

68 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 69 

gifts for widows and orphans of soldiers in war-stricken Europe, 
excites my warmest commendation. When we contemplate 
the anguish and the distress caused by this deplorable war, to 
say nothing of the tremendous toll of life and vast destruction 
of property, we are staggered at its enormity. The Christmas 
Ship will bring happiness into many hearts heavily burdened, 
and its suggestion comes like a divine inspiration. 

"James M. Haines, Governor of Idaho" 

"The plan you are promoting is a commendable one and 
will meet with the hearty approval of all persons interested in 
promoting the cause of peace and extending charity to our 
suffering neighbors. Examples of this character will impress 
upon all thinking people the brotherhood of man and the folly 
and devastation of war, and, in the end, will prove a factor in 
bringing about peace. 

"Lee Cruce, Governor of Oklahoma" 

"The chief benefit to be derived from the Christmas Ship 
seems to me to be the benefit that will come to the giver. If 
the Christmas Ship can carry gifts to all the stricken nations, 
then I am most heartily in favor of it. I wish to God that the 
United States could in some even larger way contribute to the 
lives of the mothers and children of stricken Europe. 

"WooDBRiDGE N. Ferris, Govemor of Michigan" 

' ' I heartily indorse your proposition to send abroad a Christ- 
mas Ship laden with gifts for widows and orphans of soldiers of 
war-torn Europe. This European war, however, is playing 
havoc with the cotton farmers. Many of them now are living 
on bread and milk while gathering cotton which will be sold at 
less than cost of production, unless Congress will come to their 
assistance by depositing currency with the banks in the South 
and loaning it at a very low rate of interest to tide farmers over 
the present situation. 

"O. B. Colquitt, Governor of Texas" 

"I heartily approve the plan of sending Christmas gifts to 
the children of European countries, whose Christmas cannot 



70 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

but be a sad one as a result of the bitter conflict in which these 
countries are now engaged. 

"Ernest Lister, Governor of Washington" 

' "God be with you in your efforts to send a Christmas Ship 
laden with gifts to the widows and orphans of war-torn Europe. 
I am sure the people of our own peaceful land will respond nobly 
to your appeals. 

"James M. Cox, Governor of Ohio" 

"Your efforts to raise a fund to send abroad a Christmas Ship 
meet with my most hearty approval. Trust this movement 
will be fruitful with results. 

"Emmet O'Neal, Governor of Alabama" 

Other influential men and women from every corner of the 
country wrote or wired their approval to the Christmas Ship 
editor, praising the idea as one embodying countless blessings. 

Religious and fraternal papers, farm journals — every order, 
society, or body having a literary organ at its disposal, came into 
the work and carried news of the Christmas Ship. 

Then came the largest body which worked for us officially, — 
the International Sunday School Association indorsed the 
Christmas Ship plan at a board meeting. 

As soon as Mr. Marion Lawrence learned that the Christmas 
Ship idea originated with me, he made an appointment over the 
telephone and invited me to come to his office to hear from him 
personally what had been done. 

The International Simday School Association represents 
about eighteen million pupils and about two hundred thousand 
Simday schools. Their headquarters are in Chicago, but in 
every state, territory, and province there are state officers; in 
cities and towns, local officers. 

"The matter of the Christmas Ship will be presented in de- 
tail to the trustees, because I believe that any action they take 
will be the most effective and forceful indorsement that can 
come from the International Simday School Association," said 
Mr. Lawrence. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 71 

"The beautiful Christmas Ship plan offers a wonderful oppor- 
tunity to forward the happiness of the children, and has my 
heartiest indorsement. Much is to be accomplished through 
the Sunday schools in America when a cause is worthy, and I 
am sure that the long list of Sunday schools will be augmented 
by thousands of others. 

"The action which trustees take on the plans which I shall 
present will be reported to all of the schools in the international 
association, which is the central organization of the Protestant 
Simday school forces of North America. 

"While its field is the North American continent, it has 
extended its activity in missionary and educational ways, and 
has contributed money to South America and the Orient. It 
is the chief supporter of the World's Sunday School Association. 

"It is an interdenominational Sunday school organization 
with intense spirit and purpose. This general or organized work, 
therefore, is related to all other Sunday school agencies and the 
influence is apparent. 

' ' The board to which I will present the merits of the Christmas 
Ship plan is composed of twenty-one men who reside in the 
different sections of the United States and Canada, and their 
individual indorsement, together with their official action, will 
do much to spread the doctrine of the Christmas Ship." 

The organization's board of trustees held a meeting in Chicago 
a few days later. The subject of the Christmas Ship was 
brought before them by Mr. Lawrence. It was discussed in 
detail by the trustees, and as the result the following resolution 
was adopted: 

^'Resolved, That we heartily approve of the plan of the Christ- 
mas Ship, inaugurated by the Chicago Herald for the purpose of 
carrying Christmas gifts to the suffering children and women 
of the warring nations in Europe, and heartily recommend the 
Sunday schools of North America to cooperate." 

There are sixty-three secretaries in charge of the work of 
the association in practically every state of the United States 
and every province of Canada. Mr. Lawrence mailed to each 



^2 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

secretary a copy of the resolution, together with the following 
letter : 

"The plan of sending gifts for Christmas to the people in 
Europe whose Christmas will, in thousands of cases, be all too 
sad, is not only commendable but worthy in every way. 

"We trust the Sunday school people of North America will 
heartily cooperate in this endeavor to bring a little of the Christ- 
mas spirit and joy into the lives of hundreds of thousands of 
children whose fathers and brothers have either been killed or 
wounded in battle or are now in the battle line. 

"We understand the plan now is to send a shipload of gifts. 
Here is a fine opportunity to create a beautiful spirit in your 
Simday schools and give the pupils the joy of learning the blessed- 
ness of making other people happy. 

"Marion Lawrence" 

It is impossible even to think of the millions who received 
this indorsement and were thus encouraged to work for the 
Christmas Ship by the advice of the men they had honored by 
election to their most important offices. 

No greater impetus could have been received by the Sunday 
schools of the United States than this grand indorsement by a 
man of the unblemished character and lofty ideals of Marion 
Lawrence, and the way the Sunday schools flew to arms and 
massed around the peaceful colors thus hoisted by their beloved 
chief was ample testimony both of their regard for him person- 
ally and their respect for his suggestion. 

Sunday schools of every denomination rallied to this sten- 
torian call. Bible classes of grown men and women packed boxes 
into which went the marbles and penny whistles of the infant 
classes, while the mothers of "the littlest ones" saw to it 
that quantities of warm clothing supplemented the babies' 
offerings, which all went to the Christmas Ship "in His name." 

Indeed, the use of the verse of Scripture that in my first 
interview with the Herald editor I said should be the motto of the 
Christmas Ship and the text from which I should write all my 
appeals, seems to have touched the entire Christian world. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 73 

It was used, stretched across the top of the whole front page, 
in pubHshing my first appeal to the children of America to play- 
Santa Claus. 

How it touched the young men of Racine, Wisconsin, is told in a 
letter from the general secretary of the Y.M.C.A.,L. C. Bradshaw: 

"The idea is a splendid one. I have had few things move 
me as the first article and picture which the Herald published 
concerning this worthy enterprise. 

"The thing that appealed to me most was the fact that it 
is being done in the spirit of Christ. The Y.M.C.A. officers 
in Wisconsin stand ready to do anything in their power to help 
this movement along. 

"I want to commend the paper especially for the verse of 
Scripture which was displayed in such large type: 'Inasmuch 
as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, 
ye have done it unto Me.' That is appropriate in this instance." 

Soon after this, we were delighted to hear that the Woman's 
Christian Temperance Union, a million strong, came in as a body 
and by so doing enabled the Christmas Ship project to overlap 
the boundaries of the United States. 

The Herald announced the fact in these words : 

"As outlined yesterday by national and state officials, the 
organization's part in the Christmas Ship work was a stupendous 
one. The initial step in the campaign was the setting in motion 
of four large organizations, as follows: 

"i. The National Woman's Christian Temperance Union, 
which comprises 350,000 adult workers. 

"2. The Young People's unions, the membership of which 
aggregates 250,000 young women of ages ranging between fifteen 
and twenty-five years. 

"3. The Loyal Temperance Legion, which includes more than 
200,000 children under fifteen years of age. 

"4. The World Loyal Temperance Legion, whose membership 
exceeds 3,000,000 children residing in forty-six neutral nations. 
6 



74 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

* ' The spirit in which this great body of workers has taken up 
the idea is exemplified in the following words of Miss Anna A. 
Gordon : 

" 'The Christmas Ship is the happiest of ideas. 

" 'It is not only bringing joy to the little people over the sea 
but its spirit of love and the lesson of self-sacrifice it is teaching 
will leave a deep impression on the life of each child giver. 

God grant that its message may touch the hearts of the 
nations at war. As the vessel sails into port may the gentle, 
Christianizing, civilizing Angel of Peace accompany it! The 
National Woman's Christian Temperance Union bids it God- 
speed upon its errand of Christlike love.' 

"Miss Epha Marshall, state corresponding secretary of the 
Illinois union, already has set to work. 

Not only will we take up the work corporately but we will 
also carry the message of work back to every city in the state,' 
Miss Marshall said. ' We will arouse the interest and enthusiasm 
of our respective communities, urging organizations, churches, 
pastors, and business associations to give the Christmas Ship 
the attention and service it so fully deserves.' 

The real power of such an organization working throughout 
the state is obvious when it is realized that the Illinois Union 
comprises 560 chapters, or unions, with an aggregate membership 
in excess of 14,000. 

"The national and international campaigns will be directed 
from the general offices of the union in Evanston. 

"Details of the appeal will be sent at once to every state 
president of the divisional organizations, with the recommenda- 
tion that they take it immediately to the officials of the county 
and city unions. 

"Locally the Christmas Ship work of the organization will be 
taken up in the convention of the county union, which convenes 
this morning in the convention hall of the W.C.T.U. Temple 
for two days' session." ■ 

No work that I have ever engaged in so filled my heart and 
mind with joy as did my work for the Christmas Ship . 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 75 

It was no trouble to write for it. Sometimes other work 
for the ship would so fill my time that it would be three or four 
o'clock in the morning before I could get time to write the article 
for the next day's paper. 

Yet I never seemed to be tired. No matter how my steps 
might lag, my mind went right on. Sometimes I believe I went 
to sleep walking on the street! Or at least, when officers tell me 
they slept on horseback during strenuous days in the war, I now 
understand better than ever before how such a thing might happen. 

The people tried to show their appreciation by writing to me, 
by making their cheques payable to me personally, and at the last 
even by addressing their packing cases to me ! 

The first of the moving pictures to flash on the screen when 
scenes at the warehouse receiving station were exhibited showed 
the largest case addressed to me! 

They also made me, in some instances, their conscience, and 
asked me how much they should give — how much I wanted 
and what I most needed for the ship ! 

Mr. David Dickson Spear, of the Regal Hat Company, tele- 
phoned me, asking how many fur caps he should contribute. 
And when I hesitated to say, he went on: 

"A hundred? Will a hundred do?" 

I hastened to stammer my thanks, for when I am excited I 
talk so fast I trip over my words. But before I could make 
him understand, he said : 

' ' Well, I '11 send you one hundred and fifty ! ' ' 

That is just the way everything went ! 

In every case, I turned cheques and money over to the city 
editor. Even when I had been asked by personal friends to 
purchase certain things with the inclosed, I did not do it. I 
turned in the cheque with the letter attached. 

All that I cared for was to be allowed to work for the ship. 

It was inspiration to help teach the children of my Santa Claus 
class, and to receive their bright little letters. 

It was a privilege to see the children of America wake up 
to the marvelous opportunities which were spread before them. 
Never would such come again! 



76 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

Children from all over the United States wrote me how happy 
the work made them. 

One little tot from Iowa wrote and said : 

"My dear Miss Bell: 

"To work for the Christmas Ship makes me happier than 
anything I ever did before. I wonder why that is? Is it 
because I am doing something for some little Belgian child 
whose daddy will never come home any more? 

"Please answer me in the paper. I read your articles 
every day and teacher reads them aloud in school. She tells 
me to bring them and I do. I never forget." 

So then I answered her "in the paper" with the following: 

There is a reason for the joy all my children of the Santa 
Claus Class are getting out of their work for the Christmas Ship. 

The orphans made by this war never did anything for us, did 
they? 

We know that they will not send a shipload of gifts back to 
us, don't we? 

Well, then, that is the answer. Why is it such a pleasure to 
work for these little people? Why do we already love them, 
although we have never seen them and possibly never shall? 

It is because this is a work of pure, unselfish love. We don't 
know them, so it cannot be personality which moves us. We 
cannot expect anything in return, so it is not love of self which 
prompts us. We are doing it because of the spirit of love which 
pervades our hearts. 

Love and Sympathy make a good train of cars when the 
locomotive which pulls them is Quick Action. If left to them- 
selves Love and Sympathy would be like empty sleeping cars 
standing idle on the tracks. In order to be useful they must 
be wide-awake day coaches, not the worldly Pullmans choosing 
only the rich in purse, but the busy, stuffy, red-plush day coaches, 
which carry whole families of children and which always smell of 
bananas ! And they must be drawn by steaming, panting, loud- 
breathing old Mr. Quick Action, the black and shining locomotive 
who backs carefully down the track, bumping into the cars, 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP ^^ 

Love, Sympathy, and I-Wish-I-Could-Help, saying, as he couples 
himself to their inactivity and pulls them along : 

"You can help, you old sleepers, if you will only wake up 
and hustle!" 

Did you know that a locomotive cannot say a more insulting 
thing to a day coach than to call it a sleeper? 

The day coach always gets so mad it goes as fast as it can, 
to show people how very wide-awake it is. 

Are you sleepers or day coaches, you small Santa Clauses? 

I '11 tell you what let 's do. 

If the reason we are as happy in this work for the peace 
ship as your letters say you are — if the reason for this joy is 
because of the unselfishness of our work — that is to say, we are 
giving where we cannot possibly expect a return — suppose we 
do this: 

Let's form an endless chain of kindly deeds! 

Every day, let's do one kind act for somebody who can't 
possibly return it. I mean, can't return it to the one who does it. 

For example, if some boy of my Santa Claus Class should help 
a bewildered old lady across a crowded street, in all probability 
the old lady would not turn around and take that boy to a picture 
show ! And if some little girl should make a dog stop tormenting a 
frightened cat, the cat wouldn't immediately offer to buy the 
little girl an ice cream soda! Do you see what I mean? 

You would be pouring out kindness where no eye would see 
it and no ear hear of it. 

Yet what would happen? 

The one you helped would pass the kindly thought along. 

Perhaps even the cat would say to the next robin she was 
trying to catch, "I won't eat you, Mrs. Robin, because a little 
girl saved my life to-day from a horrid dog. Go home to your 
babies, Mrs. Robin ! I '11 see what is in the Smith's garbage can I 
I know how to knock the lid off with my nose ! ' ' 

Now, giving up some of your most precious toys to sad little 
children you never saw is the first act of our endless chain of 
kindly deeds. When finished it will reach around the world 
and bind all humanity in bonds of brotherhood. 



CHAPTER VIII 

The Wonderful Work of Warden Allen's Men 

ONE of the most touching incidents of the whole Christmas 
Ship campaign was the interest manifested by the inmates 
of the State Penitentiary at JoHet. 

Ever since the message ' ' The kiddies of Europe will hear from 
Warden Allen's men!" messages had reached us continually of 
their plans. 

Making everything themselves, from the posters to the cos- 
timies and scenery, they prepared a minstrel show, in addition 
to working nights on toys, shoes, and clothing to send to the ship. 

But the climax was reached when this bit of true poetry was 
sent in, written by one of those unfortunate inmates, who, 
although paying to the state the penalty of a crime against 
her statutes, yet has so sweet a soul and so tender a sympathy 
for the unhappy plight of women and children overseas that 
he could voice these exquisite thoughts: 

THE LITTLE TOY SHOPS 
By Hugh Manyte 
(A prisoner in Joliet) 

Oh, I hear the hum of labor down the gloomy cellhouse aisle; 

I can hear the hammer rapping, and the sing of saw and file. 

And the long, long row of workshops, sending forth their shafts of light, 

Seem pervaded with a spirit that is strangely new to-night. 

I incline my ear to Hsten — fancy bears me oversea, 
To the withered lands of tumult, rent by war's catastrophe. 
Where the dying fill the trenches; where the living sternly wait; 
Where the sacred Red Cross emblem streams its folds, inviolate. 

See I, too, the dull-eyed mothers scan the East and scan the West, 
Home returning, but to find there — Grief, the uninvited guest. 
In the silent marts and spaces I can see the children throng. 
But the ring has left their laughter, and their eyes have lost their song. 

78 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 79 

Stately ship of Christmas greetings! When your precious freight is 

stored, 
From the Golden Gate to Gotham will resoimd your "All aboard!" 
For the world will bend to listen when your deep-limged whistle blows; 
When, as massive hawsers loosen, proudly seaward swings your nose. 

So those noises come a- tumbling down the dim-lit cellhouse aisle; 
I can hear the mallet falUng and the rasp of saw and file. 
And the endless row of workshops, casting forth their beams of light, 
Seem pervaded with a spirit that is strangely new to-night ! 

Nearly three hundred years ago, Richard Lovelace wrote: 

"Stone walls do not a prison make. 
Nor iron bars, a cage." 

And early in the twentieth century that has been proved true 
by the free thoughts of these caged men, which leaped all barriers 
and alighted, free and equal in the sight of God, with innocent 
little school children, all laboring alike for the little orphans 
across the sea, united in the bonds of universal brotherhood by 
the immortal words of the Master, who said, "Inasmuch as ye 
have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have 
done it unto Me!" 

And so I do not think of these "honor men" as criminals, or 
even as prisoners. I think of them as men who have never 
fallen from their high estate — men who stand upright in the sight 
of their Maker and of all who strive to be like Him — perfect 
in the sight of God and man. 

Was ever action any nobler than their message to the Christ- 
mas Ship editor of the Chicago Herald? 

"The honor men at the Joliet prison will do their share 
toward loading down your ship. While we have no money to 
spend for supplies we can manufacture toys and novelties during 
our spare time. 

"The kiddies of Europe will hear from Warden Allen's men 
through the opportunity you have made. 
"Yours very truly, 

"Committee of the Prisoners" 



8o THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

There it is — a shaft of sunlight that will fill war-shadowed 
hearts with comfort and cheer at the Christmas time, when only- 
gray skies were expected. 

It is this group of men — "honor men" in the great, gray, 
grim institution — that had asked to put its gifts of love on the 
decks of the Christmas Ship — that suffering little children, 
shivering under the bullet-raining clouds of Europe's war, may- 
find comfort in the sunshine of love and friendship sent across 
the sea. 

"The kiddies of Europe will hear from Warden Allen's men." 

The message that will go to the kiddies of Europe will be in 
the form of toys and novelties shaped in otherwise dreary hours 
by patient fingers, that will work clumsily, painfully, but happily, 
because they will be in the service of humankind. 

With the good that is in them they have bought from Warden 
Allen the right to go out again into the sunshine, unguarded, to 
work for the good of all mankind on state roads. With the 
sympathy they are putting into concrete shape in giving up their 
"playtime" to the tedious task of preparing toys for the kiddies 
of Europe they will buy a renewed right to unquestioned brother- 
hood with all mankind. 

Not all their gifts will be toys. Many have little kiddies of 
their own at home, and all remember their own childhood. 
Many can knit as well as their mothers did, and will make mittens, 
Warden Allen says. Warm caps will be made in the shops from 
odds and ends. Wonderful wooden boats will be carved; work 
benches will be built ; dancing dollies that do the most remarkable 
tricks when the strings are pulled will take from round eyes the 
fright and terror of war. 

"They've offered to use their own time to make the little 
presents for the Christmas Ship," said Mr. Allen. "I'm going 
to give them a little extra time for it. They're as happy over 
it as the children will be to get the toys. They act like children 
themselves. It 's an inspiring sight to see these big men, whom 
many regard only as criminals, working painfully over a little toy 
to gladden a strange child's heart. It is educating." 

On October 20 the Herald contained this account of the 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS vSHIP 8i 

minstrel show given the night before by the prisoners at Joliet 
for the benefit of the "war kiddies of Europe" : 

"In the great chapel hall of the Illinois State Prison to-night 
fifty honor men sang, played jokes, and acted in a minstrel show. 
The proceeds will go toward loading the Christmas Ship. 

The show was only a small part of the activities of Warden 
Allen's men and women. Toys have been made, clothing knitted, 
and notes of cheer written to accompany the gifts for the war 
children of Europe. 

" Long lines of automobiles drew up to the curb by the side of 
the gray stone prison building, and street cars were packed with 
those on their way to the minstrel show. 

' ' The program opened with a chorus by the entire company. 
Popular songs drew round after round of applause. The honor 
band of thirty-two pieces kept feet tapping. For ten days it 
has been rehearsing for what men at the prison have termed the 
'big night.' The program was concluded with a farce entitled 
'A Busy Day in a Booking Office.' 

* ' Money taken in at the performance will go to the state to 
pay for material used in making gifts for the Christmas Ship. 
Not a penny has been donated; all has been earned by the men 
and women of the prison. 

"Before the program began the audience was permitted to 
enter the big room where the toys, clothing, and other gifts are 
being kept preparatory to shipment. 

* ' Nearly a carload of gifts is piled up in the room. Long tables 
are piled high with shoes, stockings, mittens, and little dresses, 
while wooden chairs painted in bright red, chairs of cane, dolls, and 
playthings of all kinds line the walls and are grouped in the center 
of the room. On the wall is painted a sign. It reads : * The Kiddies 
of Europe Will Hear from Warden Allen's Men. I.S.P. Honor 
Men's Exhibition of Presents for the Chicago Herald's Christmas 
Ship. For the Children of War-stricken Europe.' 

"Exclamations of wonder were heard on all sides at the work 
done by the inmates for the Christmas Ship. 

* * Warden Allen conducted visitors through the hall, proud of 



82 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

the way his charges have answered the call of the needy. ' The 
boys and women have done well,' he said. 'If we had had just 
a little more time we could have loaded a car to the roof. Every 
one was mighty glad to help the Christmas Ship.' " 

Not long after this, an aged convict was so ill the warden 
went to see him. On one of these visits the old man said: 
"Warden, I want you to take a dollar out of my money and send 
it to the Christmas Ship!" 

The warden promised, but upon looking up the pathetic 
little account it was found that the would-be donor had only a 
single dollar left. 

When Warden Allen told him of this, thinking that would 
settle it, what was his surprise to hear the old man say, "Only 
a dollar left? Well, send it anyway!" 

Thus the last dollar that one old man had — all the money 
he had in the world — he gave to the Christmas Ship, that some 
pale little face he never would see might brighten with the smile 
he had sent from behind the frowning walls of a state's prison. 

That man's body may be in prison, but his soul is free. 



CHAPTER IX 

What the Newspapers Accomplished in One Month 

ON October 6, just one month from the day the editor of the 
Herald pubhshed my appeal to the children of America, 
we took account of stock, so to speak. 

I asked for statistics, and this is what was summed up: 

It is only a month since the idea of a Christmas Ship burst, 
full fledged, upon an eager, waiting world, where authors, 
actors, clergymen, teachers, philanthropists, men, women, and 
children all hastened to take up the plan and indorse it by 
distinguished names or those unknown to fame, but known 
equally to Him who seeth in secret and rewardeth openly. 

Opie Read, one of Chicago's most distinguished authors, 
declared the idea of the Christmas Ship to be the greatest ever 
evolved in the mind of man. Then he added: "It's the idea 
of the children that makes it big!" 

Only a month has this big idea been simmering in the minds 
of other men and women, yet in that short time the nation 
has been turned into a vast Christmas Ship workshop, the 
products of which will be happiness, love, and a human service 
which knows no bounds of nation, race, religion, or creed. 

Here are some of the accomplishments of that one month — 
things which already have transformed the Christmas Ship 
from a dream to a living, working reality: 

Twenty-five thousand Methodist Sunday schools, presenting 
an actual working force of thirty thousand clergymen and 
four million, five hundred thousand children, already are hard 
at work. 

A quarter million children in the vocational schools of Chi- 
cago have received the permission of the Board of Education 
to devote their time in the sewing rooms and workrooms of the 
schools to the making of gifts for the Christmas Ship. Seven 

83 



84 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

thousand, eight hundred and ninety teachers and instructors 
are cooperating with these children in working out the problems 
incident to the plan. 

The International Sunday School Association, with a mem- 
bership of eighteen million children, has promised vigorous 
support and cooperation through their secretary, the Reverend 
Marion Lawrence. 

One hundred and thirty thousand members of the Sunday 
schools and Keystone Endeavor societies of the United Evangel- 
ical Church are assisting on recommendation of seven hundred 
delegates to the general convention of the church recently 
held in Chicago. 

The National Woman's Christian Temperance Union and 
its subsidiary organization, the Loyal Temperance Legion, the 
combined membership of which aggregates more than four 
million workers, have set to work. 

The Loyal Order of Moose, with a national membership of six 
hundred thousand, has set aside November lo as "self-denial 
day," the proceeds of which are to go to the ship. 

The Elks of Chicago are helping. Raymond Benjamin, 
the grand exalted ruler of the B.P.O. Elks, has given the move- 
ment his indorsement. 

The Illinois Commercial Travelers are devoting all their 
energies to the success of the Christmas Ship' work. 

Hundreds of other organizations are cooperating corporately 
and individually. 

The President of the United States, members of his cabinet, 
foreign ambassadors, twenty-one governors, prominent educa- 
tors, clergymen, and social workers have given the project their 
heartiest indorsement. 

The list of newspapers cooperating with the Herald in spread- 
ing the gospel of the Christmas Ship has reached a total of one 
hundred. 

The last name added to the list is that of the Winnipeg Free 
Press, a newspaper which has promised the cooperation of Can- 
ada in the work of carrying happiness to the child war victims 
of Europe. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 85 



This is the revised Hst : 

Atlanta Constitution 

Aurora Beacon News 

Baltimore (Md.) News 

Battle Creek (Mich.) Journal 

Beloit (Wis.) Free Press 

Ben Hur Chariot (Crawfordsville, 
Ind.) 

Birmingham (Ala.) News 

Cairo (111.) Bulletin 

Cedar Falls (Iowa) Gazette 

Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Evening 
Gazette 

Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Republican 

Cleveland (Ohio) Plain Dealer 

Clifton (111.) Advocate 

Columbia (Mo.) Inter-High-School 
Journal 

Corona (N. Y.) Queen's Chronicle 

Creston (Iowa) American 

Daily Huronite (Huron, S.D.) 

Dallas (Texas) Morning News 

Dayton (Ohio) Evening Herald 

Decatiu" (111.) Herald 

Decorah (Iowa) Republican 

Des Moines Capital 

Detroit Times 

Dixon (111.) Telegraph 

Dubuque (Iowa) Times- Journal 

Eau Claire (Wis.) Leader 

Epworth (Iowa) Sentinel 

Fairmont (Minn.) Sentinel 

Fond du Lac Daily Common- 
wealth 

Fort Worth (Texas) Evening 
Star-Telegram 

Franklin Grove (111.) Reporter 

Gibson (111.) Courier 

Grand Haven (Mich.) Tribune 

Hamilton (Ohio) Republican News 

Hannibal (Mo.) Joiunal 

Harvey (111.) Herald 

Harvey (111.) Tribune-Citizen 

Holland (Mich.) Sentinel 



Houston (Texas) Chronicle 
Howard City (Mich.) Record 
Huron (S.D.) Morning Herald 
II Movimento (Chicago) 
Kansas City Star (Times) 
La Crosse (Wis.) Tribune 
Lansing (Mich.) State Journal 
Lexington (Ky.) Leader 
Los Angeles Herald 
Louisville Courier- Journal 
Lumber World Review 
Macon (Mo.) Chronicle 
Mankato (Minn.) Daily Gazette 
Memphis Commercial Appeal 
Minneapolis Tribune 
Moline (111.) Dispatch 
Murphysboro (111.) Independent 
Neenah (Wis.) Friend and Guide 
New Orleans Item 
New York World 
Okmiilgee (Okla.) Progress 
Omaha Bee 
Osage (Iowa) News 
Ottumwa (Iowa) Courier 
Owosso (Mich.) Press-American 
Peoria (111.) Journal 
Philadelphia North American 
Pipestone County (Minn.) Star 
Pittsburgh Press 
Portland (Ore.) Journal 
Putnam Coimty (Ohio) Sentinel 
Racine (Wis.) Journal-News 
Rockford (111.) Register-Gazette 
Rock Island (111.) Argus 
St. Louis Republic 
San Antonio Light 
San Francisco Chronicle 
Sheboygan (Wis.) Press 
Sioux Falls (S.D.) Press 
Syracuse Herald 
Tacoma (Wash.) Ledger 
Teacher's Magazine (Chicago) 
The Conquest (Chicago) 



86 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

Tiffin (Ohio) Daily Tribune Waukegan (111.) Gazette 

Toledo Blade Waupaca (Wis.) Record-Leader 

Toledo Times Webster City (Iowa) Joiunal 

Trenton (Mo.) Republican-Tribune Winnipeg Free Press 

Vinton (Iowa) Eagle Wooster (Ohio) Daily News 

Washington Star World's Chronicle (Chicago) 

In addition to these, Mr. A. P. Goodman wrote in a personal 
letter that one hundred and sixty-eight papers in Texas alone were 
*' boosting" the Christmas Ship plan, while another story was 
that editorials were carried by six hundred other papers, making 
in all about a thousand newspapers in the United States carrying 
regular or periodical news of the Christmas Ship campaign. 

Lord Northcliffe asked for the weekly news of the Christmas 
Ship movement to be cabled to him at his expense. So, just 
as I saw him in that first wonderful hour when the Vision 
Splendid dawned upon my mental vision, he really did come 
into the plan — as I knew he would. 

I continued to teach my Santa Claus Class necessary lessons, 
and in every mail I received letters from teachers and mothers, urg- 
ing me to continue to "play teacher. " Here is one of my lessons : 

Is n't it fun to play Santa Claus? Did you ever do it before? 

Well, of course, you have all played Santa Claus in a small 
way and it was nice when you gave a tree and a jolly basket 
containing a whole Christmas dinner to the poor woman with 
six children. 

But what do you say to playing Santa Claus to all the poor 
children of Europe who have been or will be left orphans by 
this cruel war? 

People tell us that there will be a million of these little 
people who will have lost their daddies by Christmas! 

Just think! Christmas is the happiest day of the year to 
our nation. Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and birthdays are 
not in it for a minute compared to Christmas, are they? 

Now just stop a moment and think what a wretched day it 
will be for those children whose homes have been burned and 
whose daddies have been killed. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 87 

With mother dressed in mourning, with the crops destroyed, 
the home gone, and possibly the baby sick, what chance have 
they to be happy? 

Can you do much of anything without money? Can you 
be happy without money, when any of the family are ill or 
dying or dead? 

Then, what is to be done for these people? Can't we send 
them a ship of joy? Can't we fill it with food put up in tins 
so that it will keep? 

Of course we can! And that is just what we are going to do. 

You happy, well-fed children of the Stars and Stripes, you 
cannot picture the want and woe that follow an army of in- 
vaders. The soldiers take everything! Think of that! And 
think of a daddy being sent away from his little farm and made 
to fight, whether he wants to or not. 

If his king or his kaiser or his czar says he must go, he goes ! 
He can't say, "Please, Mr. Kaiser, I can't leave my wife and 
babies!" He just has to pick up and march. 

But doubtless he says to himself: "Never mind, my good 
wife knows how to milk the cow, and the children are old enough 
to gather firewood, and, if worse comes to worst, they can eat 
the chickens and lambs." 

So he goes away, hoping for the best. He has worked hard 
and been very thrifty, building a little home and paying for 
his land, but he worked joyfully because of his pretty little 
wife and the bright, sturdy boys and girls who would soon 
grow up to be a help and a credit to him. 

It was hard, of course, to leave the baby, who was just 
beginning to walk, but hardest to leave the little wife, who 
was looking forward to another baby who would perhaps be with 
them before Christmas. 

Never mind! The war, he thinks, will be over long before 
Christmas, and he will be at home again, helping to trim their 
tree. Already he knows which little tree in the forest hard 
by will be the one. He has noticed it often, and this year it 
will be just the right size. 

So he kisses the children many times, and pats his wife's 



88 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

pale cheek, which once was so rosy, and the children call him 
back to kiss him — one on the end of his nose, and one on 
the back of his neck — places especially reserved and some- 
times quarreled about if one child encroached on the other's 
preserves ! 

Then he runs after his comrades, and this time he does not 
come back. 

For a time everything goes well with the little family. They 
miss daddy, but they talk happily of when he will come home. 

Then one day they hear the sound of heavy firing. The 
sky grows black with smoke. The chickens go to roost, and the 
dog hides in the blackest part of the cellar, and howls dismally. 

The earth trembles, and the mother gathers the frightened 
children in her room to comfort them, while her own heart 
beats fast with dread. 

The next day she dresses herself early and walks weary miles 
into town. There she stands before a great building where, 
as fast as news pours in from the field, bulletins are posted. 

She hears that "our troops" have been attacked. She 
hears that her husband's regiment was in the battle whose 
big guns she heard. Then she learns that his company was 
engaged — her husband, then, must have been fighting. Can 
it be that he is wounded? 

Feverishly she watches the white paper bulletins with 
their heavy black marks. Wildly she questions every official 
she sees. With tenderness the men put her off. They are 
glad they cannot give her the answer that will take away her 
last hope. 

Suddenly there is a great hush. Another bulletin is going 
up — this time with names on it. She fights her way closer, 
and reads. 

Then a shriek rends the air, and other women make way 
for her. Tears are pouring down all faces, for others have read 
loved names also. She staggers blindly away. Her man is 
dead! She has read his name plainly. 

But yesterday she was a wife. To-day she is widowed and 
alone. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 89 

How she gets home she never knows. The children weep 
wildly at the sight of her pale face and staring eyes. There is 
no supper, and they creep hungrily to bed. No one thinks 
to milk the cow or feed the chickens. Life seems to have 
stopped for all. 

But strange sounds disturb the night — galloping horses, 
hoarse commands, the sound of tramping feet. There are 
outcries from the farmyard, strange laughter, the clank of 
swords, the jingle of spurs. 

She does not stir. She does not care. 

But in the morning she knows what has happened. The 
invading army has passed by and driven off and stolen all her 
stock. Nothing remains! 

Stunned by this fresh calamity, she cooks a frugal meal 
for the children, but in the midst of it the house is surrounded, 
she and her children are driven out, and before her very eyes 
her pretty home is burned. 

In a week she, who once had a husband, a home, and a 
future, is following after the army, frantically searching for 
scraps of black bread or potato peelings with which to feed her 
starving children. 

Oh, children of the Stars and Stripes, can we not deny our- 
selves and send many thousands of big Christmas boxes, filled 
with food and clothing, to such as these? 

And after such an appeal the generosity of the children 
would overflow. 

Such self-denial as was shown! 

Indeed, the coming in of "The Happy Tribe of Go-Hawks," 
deserves a chapter by itself. 



CHAPTER X 

The Marvelous Tribe of Go-Hawks 

IT IS almost impossible to give dates — of how long this or that 
paper conducted its campaign — but I am. not sure that time 
counted very much. We all knew we had to hurry, and we 
worked as only people can work when their whole hearts are 
engaged. 

In Des Moines, Iowa, there is a lovely young woman named 
Miss Emelie Stapp. She is the literary editor of the famous 
Des Moines Capital, a paper noted for its breadth of view, its 
strong principles, and its philanthropies. 

It was Miss Stapp who originated the idea of organizing the 
children of Des Moines into a society called "The Happy 
Tribe," whose pledge was to do one kind deed a day for the 
honor of the tribe. 

The chief exalted ruler is James Whitcomb Riley, my beloved 
friend, with whom I was privileged to give some author's readings 
several years ago, and whose genius I have always revered. 
After appearing on the platform with him, I have declared that 
the stage lost an actor as fine as Joseph Jefferson when Fate 
made James Whitcomb Riley a poet and mixed a chronic stage 
fright into his birth potion. 

The Happy Tribers' other name is "Go-Hawk." I do not 
know who first called them the Go-Hawks; it may have been 
Miss Stapp, but it sounds like Mr. Riley to me. 

At any rate the Go-Hawks, being broken to the harness of 
Santa Glaus work, were among the first to come in. 

The Capital editor started the ball rolling by the following 
beautiful little sermon, preached from one of the most pathetic 
sayings of the Master. 

The unusual character of the Capital may be seen by the 
"Thought for To-day," which appears at the head of the editorial 
column : 

90 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 91 

"God nothing does, nor suffers to be done, 
But thou wouldst do the same 
Couldst thou but see 
The end as well as He." 

" 'Other sheep have I which are not of this fold.' 

"How small and insignificent a place seems Palestine as we 
study it upon the map of the world! But there was One who 
walked to and fro among those Judean hills and valleys whose 
vision could penetrate to realms undreamed of by those about 
Him. He was living not for His own day, but for all the days 
which were to come upon the currents of passing time. He was 
planning not for His own people, but for all the generations which 
should multiply upon the earth. 

"This mission of the Master was one of mercy, love, help- 
fulness. Confined to a particular sect or class, it could not 
survive. It was designed for 'all the world.' And so when 
He was admonishing and teaching His followers the nature- 
transforming power of divine truth. He did not forget to remind 
them: 'Other sheep have I which are not of this fold.' 

"It is the conviction of those who have taken hold of this 
affair (the lading of the Christmas Ship) that a great opportunity 
is presented to the people of America to give the world a powerfiil 
demonstration of what sacrificial love can really accomplish when 
once permitted to respond to the finer impulses which pulsate 
in our common humanity. 

"Think of what it is going to mean to the hundreds of thou- 
sands of European homes! Fathers and brothers upon a field 
of battle — probably never to return. Mothers at home, making 
the mighty struggle to maintain the fireside as a place of refuge for 
little boys and girls who can hardly realize the tragedy which 
is taking place, but who will be saddened if Santa Claus fails 
to come. 

"Europe's dire extremity is America's golden opportunity." 

Next the great-hearted governor of Iowa wrote a message to 
the Capital, praising the thought which inspired the Christmas 
Ship. Following is Governor Clark's message of encouragement : 



92 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"There will be great lonesomeness next Christmas in very 
many of the homes of the nations now at war in Europe. There 
will be much sadness and grief on account of the loss of one or 
more who for years heretofore have enjoyed the good cheer at 
Christmas about the home fireside. There will be many a vacant 
chair at the Christmas table. The children will hardly under- 
stand it all, and will not appreciate the greatness of their loss; 
but good cheer and quite a measure of happiness can be brought 
to them. The mere fact of remembrance, and that there is a 
great human sympathy in the world, will lighten the hearts of all 
about these firesides. 

"It is a fine thought, indeed, that has inspired this great 
coimtry to remember on Christmas the homes of those far-away 
lands and to bring to them, so far as it is possible to do so, the 
good cheer of Christmas. Surely the whole country ought to 
indorse and encourage the proposition to send a shipload of 
Christmas gifts to these lands." 

The Go-Hawks are divided into small tribes, each of which has 
its chief. This made the work easier for Miss Stapp than I had 
it in organizing all the children, for she had her batch of six 
thousand already trained in similar work. 

The following conversation will explain, better than I can, 
the attitude of the young Go-Hawk mind: 

"Jake, the Happy Tribe boy who has worked all summer to 
help 'support' the two sick babies adopted by the Tribe, is just 
a little troubled these days. He loves the idea of the Santa 
Claus Ship, and he left another nickel all rolled up in paper on 
the Happy Tribe editor's desk to add to the Christmas Ship 
fund. In the same paper was another nickel marked ' for Mabel 
and Wesley,' the Tribe babies. 

" 'We must keep a-doin' a little sumthin' to help take care 
of our own babies too, must n't we? ' he asked. 

' ' The Happy Tribe editor hastened to tell him that never for a 
minute would the Tribe neglect its duty at home, and after we 
fill the Happy Tribe corner of the Santa Claus Ship we shall look 
after the babies at home. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 93 

"Jake was satisfied. 'I'm goin' to do everything I can for 
the Santa Claus Ship. I wish I could be on the other side and see 
the children when the presents come.' " 

Think of this precious little nickel, wrapped in paper and laid 
on the altar of self-sacrifice, which is only another name for many 
an editorial desk all over the United States during the Christmas 
Ship campaign ! 

This nickel represented as much to Jake as a million dollars 
would have meant to Rockefeller or Carnegie. It meant more, for 
it meant actual work of the hands and brain, quick action, self- 
denial, and a generosity which must be sacred in the sight of 
Him who laid His hands on little children and blessed them. 

I never heard of a more beautiful idea than the Go-Hawks. 
If ever I get my other big plan in action, the Happy Tribe editor 
will be the first one I shall address. 

Here are some extracts from the Des Moines Capital: 

"Your gift, with thousands and thousands of others, will be 
sent on the Santa Claus Ship over which will fly the dear Stars 
and Stripes and a white flag bearing a single golden star of Hope. 

"All the Happ}^ Tribe chiefs are now asked by the Capital to 
call meetings of their tribes to talk over this plan. This is to be 
our work from now tmtil the happy day the ship sails away with 
its load of gifts. 

' ' It will mean so much more to you if you earn the money for 
your gifts all your own selves. Remember, each one of you 
must be a Santa Claus to some poor little orphan in Europe. 
The Happy Tribe editor knows just how you will feel about it, 
how eager you will all be to help. Each one of you is appointed 
to-day to carry the message to other children. Let us hear from 
you all. This is the Happy Tribe work for the faU." 

From that moment these thousands of children began to work 
to earn money for the Christmas Ship. How hard the work 
and how small the profits sometimes were may be gleaned from 
the following: 



94 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"In an Iowa town the other day two small boys were seen 
lugging watermelons almost as large as themselves. 

"'Those are pretty big watermelons. What are you going 
to do with them?' asked a woman. 

" 'We're sellin' 'em to help the Santa Claus Ship. Do you 
want one for ten cents ? ' The yoimg merchant was ready to take 
advantage of his opportunity. 

" 'How much did you pay for them?' 

" 'Eight cents, an' so you see we make two cents on every 
one.' 

"This little story is told, not because it suggests an easy, 
quick way to make money to add to the Santa Claus Ship fund, 
but because it shows the spirit of the children, and their interest 
in this movement. 

" 'I would n't miss sending something for the world, mother,' 
remarked a ten-year-old girl the other day. In fancy, the Happy 
Tribe editor hears these words echoed in every home in Iowa. 
Is it not true?" 

Miss Emelie Stapp must have had the time of her life with her 
mail. Tears and smiles were mingled. Early in the campaign 
she writes: 

"Full of pathos was the first letter opened by the Happy 
Tribe editor this morning. It was from a mother whose home on 
Christmas morning will be silent and lonely because of the little 
boy who has gone away, never to return. 'Philip would have 
so loved to help fill the Santa Claus Ship that I am sending you, 
in his memory, a dollar to start the Christmas Ship fund. Our 
home is dreary without him. Bless you for helping in this work,' 
writes the mother. 

"What a beautiful sentiment is expressed by this mother 
in carrying out what she knows would have been the wish of her 
eager little boy, whose merry laugh would have filled their home 
with music on Christmas morning. Philip's gift will be bought 
when the time comes, and sent away to make happy a war- 
saddened child across the seas. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 95 

"While the Happy Tribe editor was thinking of Philip, 
' Ting-a-ling, ting-a-ling, ' called the telephone bell. 

" 'Hello, Happy Tribe editor, is it you?' 

"'Yes.' 

' ' ' Well, it 's Jake, and I can't come in to see you 'cause I have 
to go to school, but I want you to use that fifteen cents of mine. 
It 's all saved up. It can go in the money to buy some things for 
the Santa Claus Ship. Don't forget. I'll be in Saturday.' 

"Bless Jake! He can be counted upon to do his part in 
Happy Tribe work just as surely as the sun rises on a summer's 
morning. He is the lad who made the first suggestion that 
the Happy Tribe adopt a sick and needy baby and support her 
the past summer. Jake can't give much because he has n't much 
to give, but no king could make his offering more freely than he. 

" ' I will send you a toy I love myself,' writes one of our little 
friends to the Happy Tribe editor. 'I 'd like it to go to some little 
girl in Belgium.' 

"Why not follow the example of the little girl who says she 
will send a toy she loves herself? What you love you may be 
sure other children will enjoy." 

Then came the packing and loading of the vans. The happy 
children, under Miss Stapp's wise guidance, were allowed to do 
nearly all the work, with the result that they felt a personal 
responsibility and the keenest interest in doing it well. 

It gave them experience and confidence, and I take a great 
satisfaction in knowing how the campaign was conducted from 
the first. It was one of the most generous as well as the most 
educational campaigns conducted in the length and breadth of 
the land, and with all my heart I thank the editor and Miss Stapp 
and all the Go-Hawks! 

God bless the Happy Tribe! And its chief exalted ruler! 
And its originator! And its editor! 

You dear little Go-Hawks ! I don't know whether to laugh or 
to cry when I think of you. 

I believe I'll do both! 



CHAPTER XI 

In Which I Write the Song of the Christmas Ship 

ONE night I was unable to sleep. I turned and tossed, 
then finally knew I had something to say, so I might as 
well get up and write it. 

Everybod}^ had been saying that the Christmas Ship ought 
to have a song and a flower, as well as a flag and a motto. 

I had named the white aster as the most suitable and sym- 
bolic flower I could think of — white for Peace, and the aster 
is a Christmas flower. But a song! 

I had several professionsl song writers cudgeling their brains; 
for one, even George Michael Cohan had written me that he 
would try to get the time to write one, when suddenly the 
hideous suspicion gripped me that I was planning one myself! 

As a rule my "pomes" are nothing short of crimes. I 
can't write anything except things like the jingles I put into 
The Land of DonH-Want-To. But this midnight marauder 
seemed of a different ilk. 

I wrote it — three verses of something (I was in no state 
of mind to be a judge) — and then turned in. And this time I 
went to sleep. 

On the next night was held the first entertainment of the 
Press Club, arranged by the wives of members. 

I went, not in the least expecting to receive any particular 
attention. The program would, I knew, be wonderful, for the 
most brilliant artists in the world are only too glad to perform 
gratis for the Press Club, on account of the advertising they 
get for it. And in this instance not only had the all-powerful 
press women requested their services, but in addition the artists 
felt that by giving examples of their art in behalf of the Christmas 
Ship they were aiding a project which appealed to them, as it 
has appealed to the whole world. 

To my surprise, I found that the first speaker was naming 

-96 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 97 

me as the originator of the idea. I wondered how he knew. 
And then I remembered that he had been on the program 
when I had been asked to appear before the Prince of Wales 
Chapter of the Imperial Order, Daughters of the British Empire. 
The chairman of the program committee had caused the 
programs to be printed with these words under my name: 
"Originator of the Christmas Ship idea." 

As this was the first time I had ever seen them in print, I 
am not likely to forget them. 

It was in the Auditorium Hotel on the afternoon of Saturday, 
October 10. At the Press Club I was invited by the speaker 
to describe how the Christmas Ship idea came to me, and I 
did so, finishing up by reciting Mabel Haughton CoUyer's beauti- 
ful tribute to the Christmas Ship, called "Inasmuch." 

My song was to be sung the third night by one of the most 
beautiful baritones America has produced — Mr. Charles W. 
Clarke. To me it was wonderful that a man who is famous 
on two continents for oratorios and concerts which rank with 
grand opera should consent to learn my song from manuscript 
and sing it in the Irish brogue. But when I talked to him 
over the telephone — I did not even know him, but the Christmas 
Ship gave many of us courage to rush in where angels would 
hesitate even to take down the receiver!^ he professed himself 
willing to do that, or more, or anything to help along a work 
like mine. That was the spirit in which every artist on those 
programs responded — not only willing, but glad, to sing or dance 
or recite or impersonate. 

Then, since I had borrowed the tune, "Wearin' of the Green," 
from Dion Boucicault, it struck me as a particularly happy 
coincidence that Ruth Holt Boucicault, his daughter-in-law, 
should be playing in Chicago in "Lady Windermere's Fan," and 
still better luck that I knew her and dared call on her for help. 

I wanted her to come over and tell us how her famous father- 
in-law wrote the song and sang it in London, where it made such 
a disturbance that England feared an uprising and eliminated it. 

Just the day before I had received a letter from her which 
struck me as fimny. She said: 



98 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"My dear Lilian Bell: 

"I was so delighted, when I opened the paper this morning, 
to see that you, too, are interested in my beloved Christmas 
Ship. When I first heard of it in New York I wrote an open 
letter to the Dramatic Mirror asking the profession to make 
the Christmas Ship their pet charity for the year, and I have 
been doing all I could for it in every city where we have played. 
It is too beautiful to come to Chicago and find that it has also 
appealed to you in the same way. Do come to see me in my 
dressing room after the matinee." 

I went, of course, and she opened her big eyes at me and 
said: "Why, how many Christmas Ships are there? In New 
York the World calls it the World's Christmas Ship ! And here 
it is the Herald's!'' 

"Oh, yes," I said. "They all do that. It is all right. 
They have to, I suppose." 

"And to think that, after all, it isn't theirs at all, but 
yours!" she cried. "How strange it seems! And how funny 
my letter must have sounded!" 

"It did, but I'm getting used to it now," I replied. 

Then she showed me her work. 

The dressing rooms of all the women looked like day nurs- 
eries. Dolls in all stages of dress and undress — it's lucky 
Anthony Comstock couldn't see those dolls! — were piled amid 
jars of cold cream and grease paint, while the prettiest girls 
you ever saw came hurrying to Mrs. Boucicault's dressing 
room to take my hand and show me their purchases and to tell 
me what they thought of the Christmas Ship. 

I had a lovely time and, best of all, when I explained what 
I wanted, Mrs. Boucicault promised to come. 

I was rather proud of my two stars, when I saw them — 
rather preened myself on my contribution to the program. 
Mr. Clarke promised to sing something else first — something 
which gave his voice a chance, for of course his singing my 
song was just to please me, and to give the song a start, for all 
profits from its sale were to go to the ship. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 99 

When the program was nearly over, Walter Brooke, who 
was the speaker of the evening, suddenly announced me. I 
was busy talking and at first did not hear him. I saw people 
turning to look at me, and heard him say: "And she will tell 
you how she first came to think of the Christmas Ship." 

He was already off the platform, so there was nothing to do 
but to go up there and do what he had announced. 

It was not of my seeking. So I just told them briefly how 
the Vision came. As soon as I could I switched off to the sub- 
ject of the song, and told how I came to write it, and got them 
all laughing. Then I introduced Ruth Boucicault. She never 
looked more beautiful. 

She told how she had heard her husband, Aubrey Bouci- 
cault, describe the fear with which the original "Wearin' of 
the Green" was sung, and she added, very prettily, that 
now that different words had been written to the tune she 
hoped it might become more popular, and take its place with the 
heart-songs of Ireland. 

Then Mr. Clarke was introduced, and he sang the Christmas 
Ship words I had written : 

Oh, people dear ! And did ye hear 

The news I have to bring ? 

The minute that I tell it ye, 

Ye '11 want to dance and sing ! 

'Tis the work of children of our land 

For orphans of the war. 

The presents just come pourin ' in, 

They come from near and far ' 

And they 11 be in time for Christmas, 

And they 11 gladden every heart 

That is heavy with the sorrow 

That 's of every life a part ! 

But there's hope and gladness in our news — 

It flies from lip to lip — 

"Kris Kringle's comin' over on 

The Children's Christmas Ship!" 

Oh, 't is children's hands a-reachin' out 

To clasp their cousins' hands. 

And send their love and blessed cheer 



100 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP | 

To those of foreign lands J 

Who have lost their fathers by the war |j 

That 's changin' Europe's map . 

And sendin' men to die like slaves ) 

In many a death-planned trap. .j 

Oh, it's children's love that's healin' wounds ] 

Men make in wars of Hate ! \ 

Oh, it 's children's cries that reach our hearts ■ 

And halt the march of Fate ! | 

Just by sendin' word our Ship of Peace j 

Is on her maiden trip — ;i 

"Kris Kringle's comin' over on ! 

The Children's Christmas Ship ! " \ 

Oh, and then on Christmas momin' ; 

How happy we shall be : 

To think that by this time they know 1 

Our love and sympathy, ,| 

That has gone along with Christmas toys < 

In letters written clear — -i 

The children of the Stars and Stripes J 

Are greetin' ye from here! | 

Oh, we love ye, and we think of ye ; 

And wish ye 'd write us back, j 

Tellin' us of anything we 've missed | 

In tryin' to fill your lack. s 

Ye are in our hearts, dear children all, | 

Don 't let this message slip ! l 

"Kris Kringle's comin' over on ] 

The children's Christmas Ship!" ■ 

The audience seemed to enjoy it. I don't know whether I ; 

did or not. I felt first hot and then cold, and I could n't let go — j 

my hands were gripping each other very tightly and the bridge j 

of my nose ached. Do you call that enjoyment? \ 

I was dreadfully excited, and I did enjoy what the people 1 

said to me afterwards. ■ 

This is what I wrote about my song to my Santa Glaus Class : 

Really I don't know what it is about the Christmas Ship that i 

makes me do such queer things! ! 

I never tried to write rhymes in my life, but one night last week ] 

I couldn't sleep. Thoughts kept coming into my mind — I = 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP loi 

tried to put them out, but they only went around to the back door 
and came in through the dining room! 

They had all the persistence of a family cat. 

Did you ever try to shut the cat out when she thought you 
had made a mistake and reaUy wanted her to stay in? 

You put her out the front door, and she comes up from the 
cellar. 

You shut that door and put her out again, and she comes in 
from the side porch. 

You shut that door and put her out again, and stamp your 
foot and tell her to "stay out," and just as you go to turn out 
the hall light you find her coming down from the attic. 

Turn out the light and go to bed! You can't get ahead of 
a cat. 

So these thoughts of mine did just as they pleased. They 
persisted, and a certain tune kept pace with them ! 

All of a sudden I knew the worst ! This was a song knocking 
at the door of my mind! 

Why should I suddenly go crazy and feel like writing a song ? 

I drove the cat out for the third time, then I met her coming 
down the attic stairs. Oh, what's the use? 

I got up, switched on the light, found that the tune which 
was chasing me was " Wearin' of the Green" — that delicious old 
Irish melody. And the refrain that was tormenting me was, 
"Kris Kringle's comin' over on the Children's Christmas Ship!" 

So there was my idea for a song, and I wrote it in about 
fifteen minutes — humming the tune softly so that people in the 
next house would n't pound on the wall, 'cause it was three 
o'clock in the morning when I gave up and let the cat stay — 
and my pencil flew. 

I had to make hardly any changes, and the next morning 
I thought I would see by cold daylight just how bad it was; but 
what do you think? It was n't bad at all! 

You can sing it! 

I telephoned to a perfect stranger and told him how I came to 
write it — it was Mr. Clayton Summy, and I could hear him 
laughing. 



102 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"I'll publish it!" he said. "And give the profits to the 
Christmas Ship!" 

"But you haven't heard it!" I cried. "Perhaps it isn't 
worth publishing!" 

"Bring it down and I'll see!" said he. "We'll give the 
profits to the ship even after it sails. Bring it down!" 

So I did. 

That was a week ago, and to-day it is printed and ready for 
any one who wishes to pay twenty-five cents for some poetry 
that I positively know beats Shakespeare (he isn't even in the 
same class with me!) and who, best of all, wishes to help the 
kiddies on the other side. 

I know what I think of it — for when Charles W. Clarke sang 
it at the Press Club Christmas Ship entertainment that Saturday 
night — well, no book I shall ever write can make me feel as I did 
when I heard that glorious voice sing a song I had written for 
the children's ship! 

My, but I'm glad that cat stayed! 

Mr. Summy was another of my telephone friends. For, really 
and truly, I just looked up his number in the telephone book and 
told him about the song, and he published it — and got out several 
thousand little pink slips bearing the following: 

"The song, 'The Children's Christmas Ship,' was written by 
Miss Bell, and all profits from the sale of it will go to the ship 
fund." 

No one who contributed to the Christmas Ship was more 
generous than Mr. Summy. 



CHAPTER XII 

The Whirlwind Campaign of Los Angeles 

WHEN California organized to work for the Christmas Ship 
the Pacific coast expected to charter a ship to carry the 
gifts gathered from Washington to Mexico by its great news- 
papers. The vessel was to sail through the Panama Canal and 
transfer the gifts to the Jason at Brooklyn. 

But two things occurred to change this plan — the serious 
landslide in the Culebra Cut which temporarily closed the Canal, 
and the magnificent offers of transcontinental railways and 
express companies to carry all cargoes free. 

Even though I predicted it in my talks with my editor, when 
the thing really happened, when from a quarter to a half million 
dollars' worth of transportation charges were taken off, and our 
immense freights franked so generously by these great corpora- 
tions, I can tell you the cold shivers ran up and down my back, 
and I clenched my hands and blinked my eyes and swallowed 
hard! 

I could have hugged those railroad trains — black and dusty 
and smelly as they were! 

Some may think that the Christmas Ship is a dead issue 
because Christmas is over and the gifts are all distributed. 
But to me, so long as I live, it will be as touching to think of the 
dear generosity of our children to the millions of little children 
they never saw — or expect to see — as on the day when I first 
thought of the plan. 

The Los Angeles Herald opened the campaign in that city 
with these words: 

' ' Ninety thousand children next Monday will have the purpose 
of the Christmas Ship explained to them by their principals 
and teachers in the public schools. 

' ' Each child will be invited to deposit a gift for the little ones 

103 



104 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

in the war zone in Europe, to be delivered by a big United States 
battleship. A day will be set on which these presents will be 
received in the public schools, and a great box will be ready in 
each school for the gifts." 

And later: 

"Children bearing presents ranging from dollies to stockings 
called at the headquarters to-day. Some of them accompanied 
their gifts with self-addressed post cards for a word from the 
child who receives the gifts. 

"Mayor H. H. Rose to-day indorsed the movement in the 
following proclamation : 

" 'It is proposed that the children of Los Angeles play in real 
life the r61e of Santa Claus to the poor little ones of Europe 
whose lives have been desolated by the war. 

" And to this end the Los Angeles Million Club, an organiza- 
tion composed largely of women whose usefulness and earlier 
public works have won them a high place in this city, has opened 
Christmas Ship headquarters for the collection of gifts from the 
children of this city for the children of Europe. 

" 'I heartily indorse this splendid movement as deserving of 
the immediate consideration of our people. I sincerely trust 
that the children of Los Angeles will, in their own unselfish, 
generous-heartedness, contribute liberally in this "hands across 
the sea" movement, and send their joy-gifts to the little folks 
of Europe whose Christmas this year will be one of sorrow 
and woe. 

" 'H. H. Rose, Mayor' 

' ' Rabbi Isadore Myers, one of the leading religious teachers of 
southern California, to-day issued an appeal to his people through 
the Million Club. He said: 

" 'The unselfish work of the Million Club in gathering these 
gifts for the poor little children of Europe, whose lives have been 
so sadly desolated by the war, is a wonderful thing. 

" 'It should call forth the generous-heartedness and sympathy 
of all the little ones of Los Angeles. I especially commend this 
giving of gifts to the Jewish children of Los Angeles. Los 
Angeles is not alone in this campaign. Children all over the 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 105 

country are giving their presents to the children in Europe, who 
will know no other Santa this Christmas.' " 

The campaign on the Pacific coast was necessarily shorter 
than some, but that seems to have made no difference with the 
generous Calif ornians, for they gave twice in giving quickly. 

Finally the day arrived on which the gifts must be packed. 
Great firms gave boxes, nails, paper, and the services of expert 
packers. The telephone company gave free telephone service. 
Truck companies contributed auto trucks — indeed, even the 
merchants gave double value for all the money spent, and 
in many instances supplemented purchases with valuable 
contributions. 

The Los Angeles Herald furnishes the most interesting pictures 
of any paper that I have ever seen. Such grins of pure enjoy- 
ment as illumine the faces of the children who are contributing 
would surely be hard to duplicate. 

' ' Hurrah for the Christmas Ship ! 

"Hurrah and a tiger for the kiddies of Los Angeles and 
southern California, who are playing Santa Claus to the kiddies 
of Europe, whose own Santas are in the war! 

"Children from the public schools, accompanying the gifts 
of the pupils of each of the Los Angeles city schools, converged 
on the Christmas Ship headquarters to-day in a mighty army. 
They came in automobiles, wagons, street cars, and on heavily 
laden motorcycles, all bringing gifts. 

"The presents of the children, centralized during the week 
in the boxes at the one hundred and fifty schools, were heaped 
into the headquarters in profusion. To-day the headquarters 
looked like the home of Santa Claus transported from the frozen 
north to the sunniest of climes, and lighted with the loving smiles 
of the city's youth." 

The credit of sending the most expensive doll the Jason 
carried belongs to the Los Angeles campaign. The following item 
appeared in the Herald: 
8 



io6 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

" 'To a little girl in Germany.' 

"These words, written in English on a package about thirty 
inches long, fourteen inches wide, and twelve inches deep, will 
introduce to some little German girl next Christmas the best 
gift that Los Angeles has sent to the war zone. 

"The big gift is a doll which cost E. J. Louis forty dollars. 
It was given by Mr. Louis in behalf of little Ysadore R. Louis, 
his niece, and is declared by the women who packed the gifts 
to be the most beautiful doll to be found in Los Angeles. 

"It was dressed by Mrs. Emma R. Thompson. Its little 
gown is made of Valenciennes lace and beautifully trimmed. 
About the doll's neck is a gold chain, supporting a pendant 
set with topaz and pearls. 

"Credit for the tremendous success of the Christmas Ship 
movement was to-day given by the officers of the Los Angeles 
Million Club to Los Angeles business men, bankers, school 
teachers, Sunday schools, and the children who all responded 
so whole-heartedly to the appeal for the orphaned tots abroad. 

"To all these, from the unselfish women who toiled, unpaid, 
in the Christmas Ship headquarters, to the tiniest tot who 
robbed his tin bank of its pennies that war-desolated children 
abroad might have some Christmas joy, this credit was freely 
given to-day. 

"To Mrs. Catherine Anna McKenna, a well-known Los 
Angeles woman attorney, the officials of the Million Club 
gave unstinted praise. Mrs. McKenna is credited with having 
abandoned her law practice completely for the last two weeks 
to assume management of the headquarters. The entire work of 
gathering the presents was accomplished under her direction." 

Mrs. McKenna's unselfish gift of herself — even pushing 
her law practice aside that she might minister to those she 
loved better than herself — is typical of many other women 
who worked in the same way. In my mind's eye I can see 
them all, though I may not know their names, nor can I find 
them out, for some of the newspapers that conducted splendid 
campaigns seem to feel that the timeliness of the Christmas 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 107 

Ship is past, and they have not sufficient interest in my plan 
to present a general history of the movement or even to respond 
to my requests for their files. That is why the work of many 
cities is necessarily omitted from this book. 

All I can do is to be very thankful for the splendid response 
made by certain papers, and to do the best I can — with apolo- 
gies to those I am not able to praise and exploit as I should 
love to! 

This editorial appeared in the Los Angeles Herald after the 
gifts of the children were started on their way: 

"Angels looking over the battlements of Heaven upon the 
deeds both of good and evil of humans on this earth, may have 
dropped their tears of sympathy upon the smoking, bloody 
desolation of Europe, but surely they smiled at the spectacle 
of the happy children of sunlit Los Angeles making up their 
packages of gifts that the little orphans of the war zone might 
not go Christmasless. 

"It was a splendid outburst of generosity which the children 
of this city exhibited, which is an earnest of the exemplary 
citizenship which the}'- will display when adult grown. Los 
Angeles boys and girls have practiced the precept that we find 
our greatest happiness in making others happy. They acted 
heartily, spontaneously, upon the suggestion to be generous, 
as soon as they learned through these columns that Uncle Sam 
had arranged to send a Santa Claus Ship abroad, and that the 
Woman's Million Club would take charge of the labor involved 
in preparing a Los Angeles shipment. 

"The Evening Herald takes pardonable pride in the fact 
that it was the newspaper medium which gave publicity to the 
Christmas Ship project and thus promoted the generous efforts 
of both women and children. 

"To the individuals who contributed to the Christmas cargo 
of the Santa Claus Ship a word of praise is due for the prompt- 
ness of their generosit3^ He gives twice who gives quickly. 

"As unexpected as it was unsolicited' — and therefore the 
more appreciated — was the kindly proffer of the Wells-Fargo 



io8 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

Express Company to ship without cost across the continent 
the entire contribution of Los Angeles, and to see it safely 
aboard the government's ship. In this notable instance a private 
corporation was not one whit behind the city or the state in 
its warm impulse to do good unto others. 

' ' Only the great-hearted can do these things, whether they be 
men or women or children. And to our mind it is something 
worthy of chronicle that a national government can be great- 
hearted enough to make the children of other nations happy." 

Now in quoting the following incidents, clipped from the 
files sent me by the editors of the Los Angeles Herald in response 
to my appeal, I can say that they conducted their campaign 
more nearly as was necessary for book form than any other 
paper. 

I have practically told the story of their work by using their 
write-ups, especially in what follows. 

The story of the Los Angeles work practically told itself 
in the excellently written columns of the Evening Herald: 

'"Not what we give, but what we share — 
For the gift without the giver is bare. 
Who gives himself with his alms feeds three — 
Himself, his hungering neighbor, and Me.' 

"Here are a few of the instances of love, of childish heroism 
in self-denial and sacrifice, that have gone into the boxes of 
presents designed for the Christmas across the seas. When 
the great American ship carries to the war-victimized tots 
in Europe the gifts of American children it will also take an 
incomparable measure of fraternity and love. 

"Hundreds and hundreds of children in Los Angeles have 
actually given up their only chance of enjoying a Christmas 
themselves in order to give to the homeless, fatherless tots of 
the war zone. 

"The presents vary from the wonderful forty-dollar doll 
to a tiny pill box of pennies tied with a smudgy string, which 
was the treasure trove of a barelegged urchin who has shyly 
worshiped it for more than a year. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 109 

"But in spirit all were alike — a joy shared, a secret treasure 
given with a smile straight from a beating, childish heart — 
and if a gift or two was dampened by a tiny tear over the sacrifice 
it was also sweetened by the burden of love and sharing which 
prompted its bestowal. 

"Only a few of the stories of generosity and self-sacrifice 
can be told. No one can ever know of the thousands of scrawled 
or printed letters to 'A little girl in Europe' that are tucked 
away in the presents. No one can ever realize the number of 
plucky youngsters who have denied themselves their penny 
lunches in order to lay their coppers with the contributions 
toward a merry Christmas in the blackness of war. But a few 
stories suffice to tell the tale and to show the love with the alms 
that Los Angeles childhood has given to the less fortunate little 
brothers across the sea." 

"Barelegged, and dressed in half -worn overalls. Laddie 
Russell, a little seven-year-old boy, brought his offering to the 
Christmas Ship and with shining eyes cried: 'Please take this 
and buy a present for some little boy in Belgium.' In his hand 
he held fifty-nine cents. It was Laddie's treasure trove, saved 
penny by penny for more than a year, and hoarded in a cracked 
tin box. 

"'I don't want it's much's some kid over there does,' he 
explained with a slight gulp as he let the coppers slide from his 
hand into a yawning box," 

' ' Bearing in her arms the tiny clothes which she had made for 
her own baby that had never lived to wear them, Mrs. A. Church, 
from Santa Monica, gave a complete baby layette. 

"*I want some baby in Europe to have them,' she said, her 
tears falling for the last time on the fine, tiny garments into 
which were stitched a mother's love and hope and sorrow. 
Pinned to a daintily embroidered bib was a letter which read in 
part: 

"'I hope these things will bring comfort to some mother 
who — even in war—holds a baby in her arms. It will be a 



no THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

comfort to me to know they cover the form of some dear little 
baby that lives.' " 

"Side by side with the baby outfit was placed a box containing 
I, TOO pennies — eleven dollars. Each penny represented the 
self-denial of some boy or girl of the Castelar Street School, who, 
to give the penny for the Christmas Ship, had gone without the 
penny lunch which is frequently the one hot meal these children 
have in a day." 

"One little Russian tad, his toes half out of his shoes, trotted 
into the headquarters with a better pair of whole shoes, albeit 
they were worn, too, 

" 'I ain't got an3rthing to give that's a present,' he explained. 
'These is all I got, an' they're better 'n the ones I've got on. 
Won't you send 'em to some boy in Russia?'" 

"A small girl, her arms filled with flowers and her little hand 
grasping a box, asked to be allowed to send something for her 
sister's grave in Germany. 

"'I brought the flowers for that — a soldier will put them on, 
won't he?' she asked, as she gave the box for the Christmas Ship. 
'I dressed some dollies for the live little girls over there, but I 
did n't want to send them without something for sister.'" 

"With tears streaming down his pallid face, Charles H. Cutter 
from Montana brought a bundle of woman's clothing. 

"*I bought them for my wife — a sort of second trousseau — 
but she died. I'd like some poor woman in Europe to have 
them,' he gulped. 

"Mrs. Cutter had been in a Los Angeles hospital for several 
weeks, and the husband, believing she would recover, had pur- 
chased a complete costume for her to wear when he took her 
back home from the hospital. But death turned his happy 
plans to ashes, and, broken hearted, he brought for the Christ- 
mas box the blue serge suit, the silken hose, and dainty slippers 
which she had never seen. 

"'Send them in her name,' he requested." 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP iii 

"Selling papers to earn money for a present to some little 
girl in Europe was the method undertaken by one ten-year-old 
Austrian girl. The child had no money, and had never earned 
any before; but she borrowed enough to buy the papers, and 
worked at it till she had paid back the loan and accumulated 
ten cents. Then she bought a doll, dressed it herself, and 
brought it to the Christmas Ship headquarters. On the edge 
of the doll's skirt was a letter written in the Austrian language. 

'"To some little girl over there that ain't got a dolly,' the 
little woman directed, as she gave the doll a final parting kiss 
before depositing it in a box." 

"At Macy Street School the children, many of them, volun- 
tarily gave up any chance of having a Christmas of their own to 
provide for the Christmas across the sea. Every girl in the 
school made one new garment, and the boys trundled the gifts 
from the school to the headquarters in wheelbarrows and wagons. 
So eager were all to do their share that they were stood in line 
and were counted out by one of the teachers before any would 
give up the privilege of bringing the bundles and placing them 
in a box." 

"Florence Heacock of Glendale sent in a tiny pill box fastened 
with adhesive plaster. It contained five nickels, and attached 
to it was a note which read, 'I think war is awful. I hope it will 
be over before you get this. I am hoping that something will 
happen so you may have a merry Christmas.' 

"The box was addressed to *A Little Girl without Any 
Home or Papa.'" 

"After saving his money for several months in order to 
celebrate Chinese New Year, David Lee, small son of the pastor 
of the Chinese Congregational School, brought one dollar and 
seventy-five cents — all his savings — to the Christmas box. 

" ' I guess the little boys in Europe need this more 'n I need to 
see a Chinese New Year, and I hope it makes some kid happy,' 
was the inscription on the purse." 



112 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"One Chinese vegetable vendor, crippled and gray, climbed 
from his wagon and brought fifty cents to the headquarters. 
He spoke but little English, but made it understood that it was 
for a gift to some little child in England." 

"One of the incidents which illustrates the great fraternal 
love impelling the children to contribute to the Christmas Ship 
was the appearance of a small, out-at-elbows, colored boy 
with a present. He was asked if he knew that the things were 
going to white children. 'I sure do,' he answered, 'but I guess 
bullets hurt just the same no matter what color you are. And 
you can suffer just as much, black or white.'" 

I don't know that a single word of mine can add to this 
beautiful story of a beautiful city's generosity. But if I wrote 
what I feel in my heart, I would just say, ' ' God bless the people 
of Los Angeles!" 



CHAPTER XIII 
The Success that Worcester Achieved 

T /"ERY early in the campaign the Post of Worcester, Massachu- 
' setts, started in to make history. 
The editor printed my appeal to the children of America, 
and then personally commended it as follows: 

"Although no words at the Post's command can emphasize 
the power of the simple, direct appeal of the editorial printed on 
the first page of this newspaper to-day, it is fitting that in this 
place attention should be particularly called to the remarkable 
human document in which Lilian Bell, of the Chicago Herald, 
brings before the American people the noble project of encour- 
aging the children of America to fill a Christmas Ship with mes- 
sages of good cheer to the peoples of warring Europe. For this 
Christmas Ship enterprise is much more than the mere collection 
and distribution of toys and useful gifts among the — for all 
practical purposes — fatherless children of France, Germany, 
England, and the rest. It is raising amid the discordant clashes 
of war the wholesome note of sweet, sane, and strong common 
humanity. 

"We are confident that the fathers and mothers of Worcester, 
and their children, will lend ready ears and willing hands to the 
labor of love that they are asked to do. 

"Who shall say what happy issue may not come from the 
example of brotherly love typified by this Christmas Ship when it 
sails across the seas beneath twin flags — one the Stars and 
Stripes, one of white with a single star of Hope, and the word 
'Inasmuch'? 

' ' ' Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these 
my brethren, ye have done it unto Me.'" 

The next day the Post secured the following indorsement 
from the mayor, and asked the opinion of leading society women 

113 



114 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

and philanthropic workers. They one and all hailed the idea 
with enthusiasm, and went to work. 

"To the Editor of the Post: 

"I have read with much interest the editorial reprinted from 
the Chicago Herald in the Worcester Post of yesterday evening, 
suggesting that the people of the United States share their 
Christmas with the unfortunate children of the warring nations 
of Europe. Thousands of children have become fatherless 
since the European war began, and there is every indication that 
before the Christmas season there will be thousands more whose 
parents will have died in battle. 

"The devastation of war will take away from the children 
Christmas joys, and it seems to me that the suggestion that we 
share our Christmas spirit with these unfortunate people is a 
most excellent one. I believe that we can well afford to economize 
on gifts at home and thereby be prepared to send a little Christmas 
cheer abroad. It is a great humanitarian movement, and one 
which will bring its rewards to those who participate in it, for 
we must remember that it is 'better to give than to receive.' 

"George M. Wright, Mayor" 

Now the campaign of the Worcester Post differs from that of 
any other paper in two ways, but it differs only "as one star 
differeth from another in glory"— for aU are glorious. 

But the first thing which attracted my attention was this: 
"All money given will buy presents. None of it will go for 
expenses. If those who through convenience or preference 
prefer to contribute money will indicate the articles they wish 
purchased, their wishes will be observed. Any money received 
will be expended for gifts, and not one cent for administrative 
expenses." 

The Post of Worcester, Massachusetts, came out with this 
statement that not one cent of the children's contributions 
should go for administrative expenses. 

To be sure, perhaps none of you who read realizes how much 
that statement cost the Post. There was an enormous amount of 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 115 

expense connected with the Christmas Ship campaign that no one 
could estimate. Telegrams, printing, stamps, stationery, crowd- 
ing news from front pages to make room for our stuff, handling 
the gifts, re-packing them, the services of reporters, a Christmas 
Ship editor, and so on — as I said, the editor himself probably 
does not know how much it cost him to print that statement. 

Nevertheless, I cheerfully remove the hatpins and take off 
my hat to him, for if there was one thing more than another which 
I thought iniquitous, it was to solicit self-sacrifice, name a self- 
denial day, urge the children to earn money, and promise to 
spend their pathetic Httle nickels and pennies for gifts for the 
orphans of the war — and then pay the running expenses of the 
campaign out of these trusting contributions. 

I know personally from some mothers of my acquaintance 
that their children suffered physical pain in order to earn money 
for the Christmas Ship. One little boy wore a painful plate to 
have his teeth straightened. Another child wore a brace on her 
leg which hurt her so that she cried. The doctor wanted her 
to wear it — he thought it necessary — and her mother, to coax 
obedience through a willing generosity, offered to pay her by 
the hour for wearing it. 

** Editor, Worcester Evening Post 

"Dear Sir: The very pleasing news that Worcester is to 
help load the Christmas Ship has reached me. It is only further 
evidence that your city stands ever ready to participate in a 
worthy cause. 

"I am interested in the movement, and would like to do a 
little something to help. Upon advice from you I will set aside 
one afternoon for 'Children's Afternoon' at my Elm Street 
Theater. On that afternoon every boy and girl who comes to 
the theater with a toy, old or new, regardless of value, will be 
admitted free of charge. 

"With my best wishes for success in this wonderful American 
venture, I remain, 

"Very truly yours, 

"S. Z. PoLi, Proprietor" 



ii6 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

This offer was gladly accepted by the Post in the following 
words : 

"I acknowledge with the greatest pleasure your kindly note 
of October 6, with its offer of cooperation in the Christmas Ship 
movement. We accept with warm thanks your suggestion that 
one afternoon be set aside as 'Christmas Ship Children's After- 
noon' at your Elm Street Theater, on which occasion every boy 
and girl who comes to the theater with a toy to be given to 
the ship will be admitted free. As there should be abundant 
time to spread the news of your generous offer, I suggest that 
'Children's Afternoon' occur on Saturday, October 24, 1914." 

The Worcester Post gave results in this account: 

"If the demonstration which marked 'Toy Day' at Poll's 
Theater, Saturday afternoon is any indication, the boys and girls 
of Worcester will certainly do all that is expected of them, and 
more too, in loading the Christmas Gift Ship, which is to sail 
from New York for the fatherless children of the warring nations. 

"It was the first real response to the call for help from the 
younger element of the city. To say that it was encouraging 
would be putting it mildly, for the results went far beyond the 
expectations of those who engineered 'Toy Day.' 

"The day was characterized by many features, every one 
of which aided in proving that many a kind thought is wrapped 
up in the hearts of the boys and girls of Worcester. They re- 
sponded nobly, and the cheerful wa^^ in which they handed over 
their little packages was very impressive. 

"The doors of the theater were not thrown open until one 
o'clock, but fully an hour before this time the first arrivals 
began to line up in front of the entrance, which was marked by a 
large sign reading 'Christmas Ship Entrance — You Are Welcome.' 
The line increased in length rapidly, and when the doors were 
opened there were several hundred smiling youngsters waiting 
to get in. Others came along later. 

"As they passed through the entrance they presented the 
man in charge with a gift for the Christmas Ship, which answered 
the same purpose as a ticket of admission. Some of them were 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 117 

not satisfied with donating one present, but handed over two 
and, in several instances, three packages. 

"The venture was a novel one, and something entirely new 
in Worcester. It is not necessary to say that it was a success, 
for the fact that more than one thousand gifts were brought to 
the theater by children, rich and poor, representing at least a 
dozen different nationalities, is sufficient proof. 

"It was a day brimful of happiness for the boys and girls. 
They were happy to be able to help load the Christmas Ship, 
and they were happy to get an opportunity to be the guests 
of S. Z. Poli at the matinee performance in the theater. 

"The young patrons were not limited to any section of the 
theater. As long as there were seats to be had, they were at 
liberty to take them. The theater had been turned over to them 
for the afternoon, and there was nothing too good for them, 
in Manager Frank Whitbeck's estimation. He had assigned 
himself to the duty of seeing that the children were well cared 
for, and he carried out his part well. 

"A large corps of ushers was on duty to assist the boys and 
girls in finding seats. The little guests did not need much assist- 
ance, however, for once inside the theater they were not long in 
getting into seats. 

"An occasion of this kind is seldom if ever held without a few 
pathetic incidents. One little flaxen-haired girl approached the 
attendant at the theater without a package When asked 
where her gift was she took off her coat and, without hesitation, 
said: 'This is what I want to give,' and handed the attendant 
the coat. 

"Another little dark-eyed girl came hurrying up Elm Street 
to the theater after the others had filed in. Just as she reached 
the entrance she dropped a shabbily dressed doll on the sidewalk. 
One of the doll's arms was amputated in the fall. The little 
girl picked the doll up quickly, and when she saw what had 
happened, her eyes filled with tears. She was soon comforted, 
however, and as the doorman informed her that her gift was 
acceptable, she was admitted to the theater. 

"To enumerate the various gifts would require considerable 



ii8 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

space, but they ranged all the way from a five-cent doll to an 
electric train of cars. The children were not restricted as to the 
value of a toy; everything was accepted, whether old or new. 

' ' Some of the gifts were neatly wrapped and marked with the 
name of the donor and to what country the gift should be 
sent; some of the toys were brought in paper bags, others were 
wrapped in newspapers, and many were not done up at all. 

"The gifts were taken to the Boston Store late Saturday 
afternoon, where they are on display to-day in one of the store 
windows. 

' ' ' Toy Day ' is over. The children who took part in it have 
done their share. They have started the wheel of success in 
motion. Now is the time for others to unite in increasing the 
momentum of this great wheel. You can help, and your friends 
can help. If you want to boom a good cause, now is your 
chance." 

This little signed appeal is worth preserving in the history 
of the Christmas Ship. It is from the Worcester Post: 

"To All Lovers of Children: 

"Many of you have stood, as I did, at the window of the 
Boston Store, where some of the gifts for the Christmas Ship 
were shown, and read the messages, amusing and pathetic, from 
our Worcester children to the innocent victim.s of war. Doubtless 
you have heard stories from the teachers of how boys and girls, 
scantily clad, have brought stockings, caps, mittens, and all 
kinds of good things, including even sandwiches and apples, out 
of their own need giving gladly to those whose need is more dire. 
Many of us have seen the mittens knit for the ship by the blind 
lady who thus, and thus only, could give her mite. And so we 
might fill this paper with anecdotes to show why, instead of the 
expected carload, there are already more than two. 

"And yet when we wake in the night in our warm beds, and 
hear the rain and the wind, we see horrible visions — little girls 
wandering lost and distraught through a countryside full of war's 
horrors; little men living up to their childish ideals of manliness, 
and suffering therefor; pitiable mothers with their new-bom 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 119 

babes, lying under hedges and in ditches — and then we know 
that though we have given much, much more still needs to be 
given. We cannot plead difficulties in transportation, nor un- 
certainty in delivery. The means are close at hand, and back 
of them the guarantee of the national government that every 
article and penny shall go directly to the sufferers from war. 
Let us go over our closets and attics once more, and see if we 
really cannot spare this or that suit or coat, or perhaps even 
give up a new hat, so that we can buy a few more things for our 
little brothers and sisters abroad. And when you tie up your 
package don't leave out the best part of the gift, but put a 
message inside that will carry comfort and hope direct to the 
heart of whoever receives it from Worcester, now more than ever 
felt to be our City of Prosperity. 

"Amy E. Tanner" 

I am so fond of using the best words to describe thought, that 
I append the following beautiful tribute to the Christmas Ship 
idea from a man who knows how to write. 

Herbert N. Davison, secretary of the Worcester Chamber of 
Commerce, says: 

"The idea of sending abroad a Christmas Ship loaded with 
toys for the children of the war-stricken countries is a beautiful 
one and it is particularly fitting that the plan should originate 
in the United States and should be carried forward to success 
by and through the great power of the press. 

" It is still true that no matter how hard we try to cover it up 
we are still children at heart. We are childish in our hatreds, in 
our ambition, in the way we magnify trifles — in a thousand and 
one ways we testify every day that we are all little men and 
women still. The world at heart, too, is sound and true, just as 
children are. And it is to that element in us, the very highest 
to which we can attain, that this plan appeals. It matters not 
what our individual views are as to what nation is to blame for 
this holocaust, we can all unite in the thought that whoever else 
is guilty, the children are innocent. And it is to them these gifts 



120 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

are going. Out of the lap of plenty Uncle Sam can pour into 
these sad, drab little lives rays of sunshine that they will never 
forget. Everybody ought to approve of this plan; everybody 
ought to support it. The Post has done a good thing for itself 
and a better thing for the community in giving all a chance at 
this Christmas season to show the world that the greatest thing 
in it is not war, or guns, or gunpowder, but love, and that when 
all the hate and misery and woe of this conflict are over and 
forgotten there will be left one beautiful memory behind — the 
American response to a childish need, interpreted and expressed 
by our most intimate companion, the daily press." 

This campaign, so ably conducted by the Post and assisted 
by churches, woman's clubs, and Sunday and public schools, 
resulted in a quarter of a million presents, or two large freight 
cars full and scores of large packing cases sent by express. 

I think that Worcester must have contributed more in 
proportion to her size than any other city in the country. But of 
that no one can be sure, and it is not necessary to estimate 
generosity which poured like a flood from every heart, with 
time the only limit. 

If we had had more time, and I had been allowed to carry 
out some of my plans, America would have sent a fleet of 
Christmas ships instead of only one ! 



CHAPTER XIV 

How Chicago's City Council Indorsed the 
Christmas Ship 

THERE is not room in this book to tell of even a tithe of the 
generosity which filled the Jason's hold with gifts. 

I sit and pore over the files of newspapers which daily keep 
arriving, and I select with care all I feel I must use. Then I 
am appalled by the bulk of material. 

So I go over and over it, weeding out, cutting down. If I 
did n't, this book woiild be the size of a dictionary and would 
have to be issued in sections — like Balzac's complete novels, 
that you buy on the installment plan and think you will read 
on rainy nights. 

In Chicago the City Council came in, and not only promised 
to work but were singularly unanimous in praising the thought 
of the Christmas Ship: 

"The Christmas Ship idea is a glorious one," said Alderman 
Nance. "What cheer it will carry to those in the very shadow 
of the great war, whose cups of sadness and desolation are over- 
full ! The movement inaugurated by the Herald should become 
nation-wide and all citizens should esteem it a privilege to have 
a part in its work. Especially should the children be interested 
in the plan. The whole idea spells a spirit of generosity and 
brotherly love." 

Alderman Merriam said that at Christmas time no greater 
expression of good will could be shown than by the sending of 
the ship. 

"The idea carries out the 'Peace on earth, good will toward 
men,'" said Alderman Merriam, "and no better time for this 
will be found than the time the ship reaches the war country." 

"A beautiful sentiment," was the way Alderman Harding 
expressed himself. "This should have the approval and aid 
of all." 

"One of the most high-minded ideas," said Alderman Littler. 



122 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"Nothing can do more to cultivate the international spirit," 
said Alderman Krause. "The plan is a splendid one, and I 
for one will do all I can to make it a success." 

"Anything that will bring joy to orphans at Christmas 
time," said Alderman Bergen, "deserves the help of every one." 

"Everybody should get back of this plan and make it a com- 
plete success," said Alderman Norris. "This plan is wonderful." 

"I believe the undertaking is something that appeals to 
the mind and heart of every American man, woman, and child," 
said Alderman Keams. "The substantial things it aims to 
accomplish need but little comment." 

"I think the idea is a grand one," said Alderman Capitain, 
"and should be encouraged by the grown-ups as well as by 
the children. It is a big undertaking, and should have the 
support of all." 

These men, who have so much power in the city govern- 
ment, are in the habit of looking at ideas as to their influence 
and productiveness of good or evil. Therefore their recog- 
nition of the moral uplift and spiritual import contained in the 
idea back of the work conducted so ably by the Herald, indicated 
that they were awake to the sublime results which would emanate 
from the Christmas Ship in the hearts and lives of the children 
of the United States. 

A few weeks later, in regular session. Alderman Nance 
introduced a resolution, followed by these most significant 
words : ' ' The city council of the city of Chicago hereby indorses 
the laudable project and urges the generous cooperation of all 
citizens in making it an unqualified success." 

It was with these words that the city's official representa- 
tives made history. 

"It is rare in the annals of municipal government, either 
in America or abroad, that a great city has thought the suffer- 
ing of other nations of concern immediate enough to inspire action 
toward its alleviation," said Alderman Nance after the session. 

' ' Never before in the history of war has a great city initiated 
action, or indorsed action initiated by others, to offset even in 
part the unhappiness and misery which follow in the wake of war. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 123 

"That the council of the city of Chicago has taken such 
action is a fact not only of importance as an aid in the loading 
of the ship but also as a great moral step in the direction of 
the realization of civilization's ideal of universal peace. 

"The fact that one of the world's largest and most cosmo- 
politan cities has deemed international sympathy and brother- 
hood of sufficient importance to merit official action, is an in- 
fluence for good which will reach not only the people of Chicago 
but in time all the people of the world." 

Even more explicitly expressed is the commendation of the 
general superintendent of the United Charities of Chicago: 

"Christmas Ship Editor of the Herald: 

"Permit me to express my keen interest in your Christmas 
Ship idea. Charity workers know what fatherless homes 
mean to family life. They spell grief, gloom, and want. Now 
comes your plan to throw among these stricken little ones a 
kind of rainbow of cheer. It is a great idea, and I want to add 
my little word of encouragement. Two fairies in our own 
home, as I write, are busy at the front lawn to earn contribu- 
tions to the cause. 

"Of course this will mean money taken out of Chicago, 
where the needs of the poor are so great, but I am confident 
there will be plenty left for all. Chicago is rich, her people 
are generous, and their means are sufficient to meet all reason- 
able calls. How fitting that cosmopolitan Chicago, harboring 
peoples from every nation, should look with compassion upon 
the stricken children of all the many countries at war. Social 
workers ought to, and I am sure will, say Godspeed to your 
brilliantly conceived project. 

"Eugene T. Lies" 

While in another issue came this from the secretary of the 
Illinois Vigilance Association: 

"Christmas Ship Editor of the Herald: 

"To me the Christmas Ship plan seems one of the greatest 
influences for good I have heard of since the United States 



124 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

remitted a portion of the war tax on China after the Boxer rebel- 
lion. It is an act of kindness and sympathy that will do more 
than any diplomacy could hope to do. It will do much to quiet 
the war spirit in Europe and make it almost impossible for 
any foreign nation to declare war on us while the memory of 
such a kindness lasts. It is a kindness to mothers and little 
children that will be a source of happiness to the heart of the 
giver as well as to the receiver. 

"Wirt W. Hallam" 

Two hundred women's clubs of Chicago, through their 
representatives in the executive committee of the League of 
Cook County Clubs, enlisted in the work of the Christmas Ship. 

Notice of the league's action was conveyed to the Herald 
in a letter signed by the president, Mrs. Charles H. Zimmerman, 
and the corresponding secretary, Mrs. A. P. C. Matson. The 
letter read as follows: 

"At a meeting of the executive committee of the League of 
Cook County Clubs, held September 15, it was voted to indorse 
the Christmas Ship movement." 

All the time I was teaching my Santa Claus Class, and 1 
wrote for them as I would write had each da3^'s story been 
going into a book. 

Was there ever a more delightful play-combined-with-work 
and work-combined-with-play invented than all of us mothers 
and children sitting down to prepare such a shipload of joy? 

Can you imagine what the children of Europe are thinking 
right this minute? For already thousands know what we are 
doing. 

And the best of it is that we are all happy about it. 

For my own part, I wear that smile that won't come off. 
I smile when I am with people and when I am alone. Some- 
times I get to smiling so in the street car that I have to turn 
and look out of the window for fear people will think I am 
not quite right in my mind! 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 125 

But we Christmas Shippers can't help smiling, can we? 

This smile of ours is one which will circle the earth. 

It begins here and there in America — possibly in Houston, 
Texas, or Los Angeles, California — and ripples along through 
the intervening states until it reaches Brooklyn, where our 
Christmas Ship is awaiting its precious cargo. 

And when it has gathered in all the children and fathers 
and mothers of America, this smile crosses the ocean by day 
and by night. 

Little does it care that the channels of war vessels are mined ! 
It slips easily past dangers which might blow a ship's crew into 
eternity. Possibly by its sunny aspect it disarms the cruel 
old mines lying in wait to blow human beings into bits. 

What could a submarine mine do to a smile worn by men, 
women, and children who are working for the Christmas Ship? 

So the smile which circles the earth arrives safely on the 
other side, and there it begins to see small, white faces, stained 
with tears. No smile is on those pale features, swollen with 
weeping for a daddy who marched away so bravely a few short 
weeks ago, but who now lies in a trench piled high with dead 
who have been mowed down by a murderous machine gun. 

These poor children, driven from their homes by flame and 
sword — mothers with little babes in their arms, leading toddling 
two and three year olds, who stumble along, dragging at a weary 
mother's skirts — this sorry procession, hungry, cold, footsore, 
and dumb with despair, suddenly begins to see the radiant 
cheerfulness of our children's smile. 

"What is this?" they begin to wonder. 

Small heads lift themselves. Tired mothers stop and rest. 
Every one looks and listens. 

What is it? 

It is the message of our Christmas Ship! It tells them 
what we are doing. It bids them take courage, for small hands 
have reached across the sea, and clasped theirs in kind and 
loving encouragement. 

"Cheer up, little cousins!" says our smile. "We are going 
to get acquainted with you. Don't cry any more. Smile with 



126 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

us, for the days of your mourning are numbered. On Christmas 
Day each one of you is going to have a present from some little 
boy or girl in America, and mother is going to have a big box 
all filled with delightful things to cook. So cheer up, little 
cousins ! 

"These Christmas boxes have been packed with such loving 
care by the mothers and big sisters of the very little tots who 
have sent you the toys ! I am the smile which illuminated their 
faces while your American cousins were working to send your 
Christmas presents, and they sent me on ahead to tell you to 
get your own smiles ready. I am afraid of your tears, so please 
smile, little cousins! I am the smile that all American children 
wear when they think of you!" 

A smile? Every one understands a bright and loving smile! 
It needs no introduction. It requires no translation into French, 
German, or Russian. Smiles speak all languages in one, and 
are in turn understood by all. 

So the whisper of our work has gone around the world, 
and the smile we sent on ahead has already fastened itself on 
small faces which for weeks have known only weeping. 

But now our sad little cousins have begun to wear our smile, 
and already it begins to feel at home. 

We don't want it back. We have plenty of others left, 
have n 't we ? 

Letters poured in, telling of the most pathetic sacrifices 
made that a few more pennies or nickels might be added to the 
Christmas Ship fund. It seemed to me that nothing was quite 
precious enough to buy with these offerings, and that to spend 
this money must be an act of consecration. 

In many cities where campaigns were conducted, women 
were delegated to this task by the editors, for there is hardly a 
man on earth, unless he is in the business, who knows how to shop. 

But scores of newspapers, instead of buying in their home 
towns, sent their cheques to the Herald, the Cleveland Plain 
Dealer alone sending a cheque for nearly three thousand dollars. 
And there were thousands of dollars contributed by others. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 127 

When the money was pouring in at the rate of thousands 
of dollars a day the following appeared in the Herald, under 
the heading, "To Ship Fund Contributors": 

"The Herald begs to announce to all contributors to the 
Christmas Ship fund that as soon as possible after the sailing 
of the ship it will publish an audit by Arthur Young & Co., 
chartered accountants, of the funds intrusted to it for the 
Christmas Ship movement." 

All this time I was still busy with my Santa Claus Class — 
from which have sprung so many worthy charities. 

This allegory I wrote especially for my class, in order to 
stir the grown-ups to action: 

There was once a beautiful queen who ruled over a great 
kingdom. She had gentle manners, a soft voice, and kind 
eyes, yet what she offered to do she never did. At first her 
subjects were deceived, for they thought she was as generous 
as she appeared. 

She had one son, whom she tenderly loved. 

The people, seeing her devotion to her boy, praised her for 
the care she bestowed upon him, and they said proudly: "How 
different our queen is from most royal personages! They turn 
their crown prince over to nurses and governesses and tutors, 
but our queen bestows all her time upon the little prince, and 
teaches him herself. He surely will grow up into a noble king." 

But as time went on, the crown prince grew into nothing 
of the kind. He received no lessons in generosity or in thinking 
of others, so that he was but a badly spoiled, self-indulgent 
lad, to whom no one would have paid any attention except 
for the position he held and the fact that he always had plenty 
of money to spend. 

There came a famine in the land. Crops failed and bread 
was scarce. The royal granaries were none too plentifully 
stocked. Still, there was much which could have been shared — 
very many useless luxuries which could have been given up, 



128 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

had the loving heart been there to direct such generosity; but, 
although it was discreetly hinted to the queen, she flew into 
a rage and demanded to know if the prince did not need rich 
food and costly pleasures as much when crops failed as when 
food was plentiful? 

So the councillors retired and told the starving people that 
they could expect no help from the royal household. 

But the queen, mindful of her popularity, went among the 
destitute and wrung her white hands, and wept with the mothers 
who held starving babies on their knees, and said, in her soft 
voice, which deceived the people into thinking she had a soft 
heart, "Oh, I wish I could help you, but there is not enough 
for us and you!" 

Now, there dwelt in the swampy lands where the river over- 
flowed, a little crippled girl. She had a crooked back and a 
twisted foot, and she often suffered very much; but even when 
lying on her hard pallet her mind was busy with the troubles 
of her neighbors, and she was forever searching her thought for 
ways to help. 

To such will the Vision Splendid always be given. 

So the Vision Splendid came to her. 

She told the men to drain the swampy land and plant it. 

The women were as strong as men, and as all were needed 
for the great work, little Do-It, as the child was called, turned 
her neat room and tidy little fenced yard, with its bright flowers, 
into a day nursery. She took care of all the babies and young 
children, that their mothers might help in the great work of 
draining the land. 

The day came when the drains were finished. The rich black 
soil was planted, and in due time there came such crops that 
never before in the history of the land had there been such plenty. 

The queen heard of it, and appointed the crown prince's birth- 
day as a day of thanksgiving for such wonderful prosperity. 

Now it chanced that the day before the birthday of the young 
prince, poor little Do-It had one of her bad attacks of pain. She 
lay upon her small cot, unable to rise and do for her neighbors 
what it was usually in her power to bestow. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 129 

Then it was that her unselfish kindness returned to her, for 
the poor people from far and near, whom she had helped by 
advising them to drain the land, came and brought her presents, 
so that her little room was filled to overfiowing with flowers 
and appetizing food and little gifts of love. 

The queen chanced to drive by, and seeing all the people in 
front of this low, thatched cottage, she bade the coachman stop, 
while she asked the meaning of the crowd. 

At first no one spoke. Then a poor woman — whose babe 
had died upon her knees while the queen had wept and 
bemoaned her, crying out, "Oh, I wish I could help you! I 
would so like to be of use!" — came forward. 

She folded her arms and said: 

"May your gracious Majesty please, we are gathered here 
to do honor to our real queen — little Queen Do-It!" 

"What?" cried the queen. "Are there two?" 

"Nay, there is but one!" answered the poor mother. 

The people plucked at her sleeve, and begged her not to speak, 
but she shook them off and went on: 

"You are a queen but in name! You are Queen I-Wish-I- 
Could-Help ! This poor child, who gave us of her great wisdom 
and her scanty store, is Queen Do-It! She paused not from 
lack, nor withheld her hand because it seemed empty; and lo! 
when she held out her hand to us it was filled, because divine 
love filled it. Now that she is ill we are trying to show how we 
love her, for under God, we owe all our prosperity to her wisdom 
and loving thought for her neighbors." 

The queen listened in silence, for she knew the woman spoke 
what the others felt. Then she sank back in her carriage and 
motioned the coachman to drive on. 

Back in her empty palace she saw the gilded walls, the costly 
food on the carved table, the rows of silent servants ; but love and 
sympathy were not in the palace of Queen I-Wish-I-Could-Help. 

These two dwelt in the humble cot of the little crippled Do-It. 

Are the members of my Santa Glaus Glass like the Queen 
I-Wish-I-Gould-Help, or like little Do-It?" 



CHAPTER XV 
What Prominent Men Said of the Work 

IV /TANY newspapers which did not carry on active campaigns 
^^■^ for the Christmas Ship published their approbation of 
the idea. 

Alexander Dessewssy, editor-in-chief of Otthon (At Home), 
wrote : " It is a splendid idea, and the Herald may be sure that 
the Hungarian children of Chicago will do their share toward it. 
They are only too willing to do anything they can toward allaying 
the suffering of the children of Europe, to bring a ray of Christ- 
mas sunshine into the homes from which fathers and brothers 
have gone never to return. Every one will, I am sure, help 
the movement along. I will do all in my power to support 
it, and, among other things, will publish in my newspaper a 
translation of the entire article." 

The Queen of the West, a monthly magazine published in 
Chicago and devoted to the interests of women, took up the 
appeal of the gift ship and asked its readers to cooperate, 
publishing the following editorial: 

"When we think of the terrible war that is devastating 
Europe, our hearts naturally go out to the widows and orphans 
left in its trail, to the homes made desolate; and yet, as individ- 
uals, there is nothing we can do. But collectively there is much 
that can be done to bring a measure of joy and brightness where 
there was only gloom and despair. The individual gifts may be 
small, but the combination of all of them may be immense. 
This is a beautiful idea, and gives expression to what so many 
have in their hearts. We hope that the response will be so 
great that instead of one Christmas Ship we shall need a fleet 
of them." 

Colonel Henry Watterson, editor of the Louisville Courier- 
Journal, announced that the Courier- Journal had printed the 
"whole of the Herald's admirable address to the young 
people." 

130 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 131 

"There is nothing in that direction that I will not gladly do," 
he wrote. "My personal activities, of course, are very limited 
and taxed to the fullest by my current newspaper work. Never- 
theless, tell me what you would have me do and you will find me 
a faithful follower." 

The assistance of the Lumber World Review and the cooper- 
ation of ten thousand members of the lumber fraternity — the 
Concatenated Order of Hoo-Hoo — were offered the Herald 
in a letter from Boiling Arthur Johnson, editor and publisher of 
the lumber magazine. 

"I do not remember in thirty years' experience to have seen 
any suggestion made by one newspaper taken up with such 
spontaneity as has been this movement of yours," he wrote. 
' ' Before long you will determine that just one ship will be very 
inadequate. It will have to be a fleet." 

"Fine suggestion. Put Hannibal Morning Journal on the 
list," wired John A. Knott, editor of Mark Twain's old 
newspaper at Hannibal, Missouri. 

Others came pleading for the opportunity of participating 
in such a laudable movement. In many cases insistent "wires" 
have kept pouring in with appeals for "appointments" in various 
sections of the country. 

"May we represent this community in the gift ship plan? 
Please answer," was the telegram that came from the Decatur 
Herald. 

"We must confess we like this idea, and it grows upon one 
as he thinks," was the editorial expression of the Cedar Rapids 
(Iowa) Republican. 

"The movement is a most commendable one, and should 
be joined in enthusiastically by every boy and girl in the United 
States," wrote the Rockford (111.) Register-Gazette. "It is a 
great work of love, and will bring happiness to thousands of 
fatherless homes in Europe next Christmas morning. The 
youngsters in Rockford should be prompt in doing their work." 

"The South Bend Tribune joins in the Christmas Ship plan," 
telegraphed the Indiana publisher. "The Tribune's- circulation 
covers' the northern part of Indiana and southern Michigan." 



132 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

Assistance in South Dakota was proffered in a message from 
the pubHsher of the Sioux Falls Press. The editor wired to 
learn how to handle contributions. 

"The Press announces to-day cooperation in the Christmas 
Ship plan," telegraphed the editor of the Beloit (Wis.) Free Press. 

"If this paper can be of service to you in the campaign, I 
shall be proud to be so advised," wrote H. C. Austin, editor of 
the Ossage (Iowa) News. "Call upon me for assistance any time. 
I can assure you a good contribution from Osage." 

Ministers, laymen, politicians — every one — wrote letters to 
the Herald, commenting upon my appeal to the children. 

"Christmas Ship Editor of the Herald: 

"I have read your sublime and Christ-like letter, 'To the 
Children of America.' It is an inspiration. You are near the 
Kingdom. "F. W. Maguire." 

This is what a few religious workers of Chicago thought about 
the Christmas Ship plan : 

The Reverend John Timothy Stone, pastor of the Fourth 
Presbyterian Church, saw in the plan the upbuilding in the Ameri- 
can child of a spirit of sacrifice and human service. "It is a 
beautiful thought," he said, "this plan of sending a toy ship 
across the seas as a messenger of peace and good will from the 
children of one continent to the children of another. The child 
who makes a personal sacrifice to brighten the life of some other 
little child will have given more than the toy he has given up, 
for he will have given a little of himself to humanity." 

"The Herald's offer to send a Christmas Ship to the war- 
ridden nations is a fine act and deserves the commendation of 
every one," said the Reverend William H. Car war dine, pastor 
of the Windsor Park Methodist Episcopal Church. "It is a mag- 
nificent undertaking for an American newspaper, and will be 
a grand success. The Herald has taken this step at an appro- 
priate time, and this wonderful expression of Christian spirit is 
bound to be taken up throughout the entire American nation," 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 133 

The Reverend Dr. Johnston Myers of the Immanuel Baptist 
Church said: "The plan is splendid. It will have a wholesome 
effect on the senders as well as on the receivers. Care should be 
taken to send presents that will make the children really happy." 

"The sending of a toy ship to Europe freighted with gifts for 
little children of nations at war is the most divinely beautiful 
suggestion that I have seen in recent years," said the Reverend 
John P. Brushingham, pastor of the South Park Avenue Meth- 
odist Episcopal Church. 

And after the clergymen came men prominent in the business 
world, all pausing to pay tribute to the Christmas Ship idea: 

"I think the Christmas Ship an institution of inestimable 
good," declared John F. Smulski. "We will have it called to the 
attention of the Association of Commerce. I believe it will 
appeal to the members as the best concrete expression that could 
be devised of American love for the peoples of the old country 
and of American hope that they will cease striving against each 
other." 

George M. Reynolds, president of the Continental and Com- 
mercial National Bank, enlisted for the campaign. 

" It is a beautiful idea, ' ' said the banker. ' ' What a wonderful 
spirit it instills into the youngsters of America! And what a 
wonderful effect it will have on the youngsters abroad ! There is 
no way to estimate the results of such a stupendous act, but the 
happiness alone that will grow out of it among the children of 
Europe is enough to fire American youth to the greatest efforts. 
Race and creed are for the first time in history welded into a 
brotherhood of man which I wish might last." 

Jacob M. Loeb, president of the Chicago Hebrew Institute 
and a member of the Board of Education, was a "booster" for 
the Christmas Ship. 

"It is a project which has for its objective the relief of little 
children, and as such should have the unified support of the 
entire nation, officially, collectively, and individually," he said. 

Mr. Loeb's view of the objects to be attained by the sending 
of the Christmas Ship was a broad one. In a brief interview he 
outlined for the Chicago Herald what he characterized as the four 



134 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

great benefits which would result from the plan — the giving 
of happiness to helpless, unhappy children; the moral education 
of the children of America ; the promotion of international peace, 
and the development of the ideal of universal brotherhood. 

"Any one of the four is worthy enough in itself to warrant 
the enthusiastic support of the project by every red-blooded 
American," he said, "but taken together they form an opportu- 
nity so rare, so dominant, that America cannot afford to neglect it. 

"However, there is another aspect of the plan which should 
not be overlooked by Chicagoans. It is this: The Christmas 
Ship originated in Chicago. Naturally the broadness of its appeal 
has caused it to grow until now it encompasses the entire nation. 
Still, our civic pride should guarantee that Chicago's part in the 
cargo of the ship will be the greater part. 

"There is nothing of selfishness in this desire. Nor is there 
anything of provincialism or narrow complacency. It is only 
a call to duty which Chicago should not fail to answer. There 
are many in Chicago who have taken an active interest in the 
Christmas Ship. There are many who are sacrificing time, 
money, and personal interests to make it a success. But there 
still are many passive agencies and individuals. 

"I have seen enough of the working out of the plan to know 
that the Christmas Ship will be a success. Still, success itself 
will be a tragedy unless it represents the most it is within our 
power to do." 

Mr. Loeb was the first one to recognize a most important part 
of my original plan of the Christmas Ship. 

I brought the idea to Chicago because I was born there. 
I am a Chicago woman, and I wanted the most beautiful thing 
which has grown out of the w^ar to come from my native city. 
I told the editor of the Herald these things in my first inter- 
view with him, and no one pays a more sincere tribute to his 
energy in carrying out my plans than I do. Possibly no other 
editor in the country could have done it so completely. But 
Mr. Loeb recognizes the civic pride I had when I brought the 
idea a thousand miles in order to start it in Chicago. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 135 

The Chicago Herald gave this account of how a church 
convention indorsed the Christmas Ship plan: 

"The Christmas Ship was unanimously indorsed yesterday 
by seven hundred delegates assembled in Moody Church in the 
first general convention of the Sunday schools and Keystone 
Endeavor societies of the United Evangelical Church. 

' ' Sentiment of the delegates as expressed in resolutions drawn 
up by R. G. Munday, chairman, and adopted unanimously, 
will be forwarded to one hundred and thirty thousand young 
people in the United States, who are actively engaged in the 
work of the two organizations. 

"At the conclusion of the regular program Bishop U. F. 
Swengel of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, spoke of the Christmas 
Ship plan. The Reverend J. Q. A. Curry, president of the general 
managing board of the church, then read the resolutions. 

"When he had finished he said, All who are in favor of the 
resolutions, signify by raising the right hand.' Instead of 
responding in the way designated every one in the large auditorium 
arose and lifted his hands heavenward. 

"'To-day's meetings were among the most enthusiastic we 
have yet had, and the adoption of the resolutions was a fine way 
to close so profitable a day,' said Chairman Munday after the 
indorsement of the Christmas Ship plan had been included in 
the minutes of the convention. 'I have read daily the develop- 
ments in the campaign being carried on by the children of 
America in behalf of the war orphans and am immensely pleased 
that the opportunity to indorse the plan in behalf of the thousands 
of young people of our church should arise at this time. The 
action of our body is particularly significant because the delegates 
have been listening to our missionaries, who have just returned 
from the war zone.' " 

One of the boys in the Christmas Ship department of the 
Herald used this clever caption several times with great success: 
"Do Your Christmas Shipping Early," 

Libby, McNeill & Libby, Chicago packers, expressed their 



136 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

interest in the Christmas Ship in a practical way, this one Chi- 
cago concern making provision for the comfort of two hundred 
European famiHes at Christmas time. 

The plan by which it accomplished this end is revealed in the 
following letter: 

"To the Editor of the Herald: 

"Your plan for a Christmas Ship filled with gifts for the 
widows and orphans of Europe caused by the war, enables 
us to demonstrate in a practical way our deep sympathy for 
these poor sufferers. 

"We have prepared and will hold for your shipping instruc- 
tions two hundred individual cases of assorted canned foods, 
each case to contain the following items: 

One can Libby's corned beef 
One can Libby's corned beef hash 
One can Libby's pork and beans 
One can Libby's apple butter 
One can Libby's Vienna sausage 
One can Libby's deviled meats 
One can Libby's Tall Red salmon 
One can Libby's tomato soup 
One can Libby's jam 
One can Libby's jelly 

"Wishing you every success in this very worthy enterprise, 
we are, 

"Yours truly, 

"LiBBY, McNeill & Libby, 

"Per Edward G. McDougall" 

The way in which the schools took up the idea may be gained 
from the following in the Chicago Herald: 

"American school children are destined to play an important 
part in the loading of the Christmas Ship. In Chicago, in the 
remainder of Cook County, in Illinois, and in uncounted cities 
in other states, the schools have officially taken up the work 
vigorously. 

"Missouri is perfecting plans for a state-wide campaign in 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 137 

the public schools. The University of Missouri, high schools 
and grade schools, country schools and kindergartens will unite 
to load the ship. 

"It is probable that two days will be set aside in the schools 
as 'Christmas Ship' days. 

"J. M. H. Frederick, superintendent of schools at Cleveland, 
is perfecting similar plans for application among the school 
children of his city. 

"Monday was 'Christmas Ship' day in the public schools of 
Rock Island. The children were asked to give one cent each. 
When at the end of the day it was found that the children had 
given (four thousand of them) $84.52, Superintendent E. C. 
Fisher admitted that there must be something wrong with the 
multiplication table. 

"In Hammond, Indiana, the four thousand children in the 
public schools are working under the direction of Superintendent 
of Schools C. M. McDaniel. They are devoting their manual- 
training and domestic-science hours to the manufacture of gifts. 

"Boston has taken up the work through its kindergartens. 
Under the leadership of Miss Caroline D. Aborn, director of 
kindergartens, the children have been busily engaged for more 
than two weeks. Miss Aborn promises ' big results from Boston.' 

"The quarter of a million children in the Chicago schools 
have made a good start on their part of the ship's cargo. In 
their sewing rooms and workshops they are giving a good account- 
ing of every minute of their time. Under the guidance of 
Edward F. Worst and Miss Ida M. Cook, supervisors of manual 
training and household arts, respectively, neither the practical 
nor the purely sentimental gifts are being overlooked. 

"One thousand teachers of the Cook County schools outside 
of Chicago will perfect plans for the county schools' part in the 
Christmas Ship work at a mass meeting to be held in FuUerton 
Hall to-morrow. Meanwhile the seventy thousand children 
under their direction are already hard at work." 

We would no sooner smile over such cheering news than a 
surprise greater than anything we had yet encountered would 

10 



138 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

come to our attention. It seemed as if every nation on earth 
wanted to contribute to the Christmas Ship! 

Japanese residents of Chicago — consular officials, students, 
and business men — rallied to the support of the Christmas Ship. 
The following letter, in which was inclosed seventy dollars, was 
received by the Herald from Saburu Kurusu, imperial consul of 
Japan : 

"In accordance with the request of the supporters of your 
Christmas Ship plan among the Japanese residents of Chicago, 
I have the great pleasure of sending you herewith seventy dollars 
donated by our people in this city and its vicinity. 

"The collection of this fund was started by several organiza- 
tions of local Japanese inhabitants, namely, the Mutual Aid 
Society, the Japanese Young Men's Christian Association, the 
Japanese Mission Homes, the Japanese Club of Chicago, the 
Japanese Business Men's League, and the Japanese Club of 
the University of Chicago, in response to the bugle call of 
your paper, which moved us to the highest pitch of the spirit 
of universal love and cosmopolitan brotherhood. 

"Though the amount collected is insignificant, it is really 
from our heartiest sympathy toward those helpless children in 
Europe that we ask you to receive the same to purchase something 
which will lighten the saddened little hearts of those boys and 
girls. 

"Would you please accept the same and see it duly sent, 
with our best wishes, to those unfortunate sons and daughters 
of our European brothers?" 

Was it any wonder that I found it so easy to write for the 
Christmas Ship as follows ? 

I know a little girl who has more toys than she ever plays 
with. I told her about the Christmas Ship — in fact, she heard 
about it before you did — and she immediately decided to send 
her doll's bed. 

Now a doll's bed does not sound very much, does it? But 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 139 

this doll's bed is some pumpkins ! It is about four feet long, and 
a child of six could sleep in it. 

But this is the most interesting part to my Christmas Ship 
Class: Although this doll's bed looks exactly like new, still 
all the bedding must be made over. The mattress is to have a 
new tick. New feather pillows are to be made from one of 
mother's old ones which has leaked and grown so pale that we 
might as well assist at its obsequies. 

New sheets are to be hemmed by patient little fingers. The 
blankets will be washed. 

An eiderdown comfort which has shed its silk cover is to have 
a new one — blue, she thinks — and the whole will be covered 
with a white spread cut down from a grown-up spread whose 
comers whipped out in the wind. 

I wish you could see those cute little pillowcases! Why, 
when that bed is finished it will be so unutterably fascinating I 
shan't want to see it go out of the United States! I wish I 
were small enough to sleep in it myself, but I would have to fold 
double to fit in it, and I am afraid I should be uncomfortable. 

But do you know what I hope will happen to that doll's 
bed when it arrives in Europe? I hope those in charge of the 
distribution will give it to some poor mother with very small 
children, who can sleep in it. 

For do you know how many, many poor children sleep? 

The father and mother take the middle of the bed and the 
children are tucked round the edges. Two children are often 
at either side, and two at the foot. 

I 've often wondered what would happen to the small fry of 
a family, who all slept in one bed in this way, if the father sud- 
denly got nightmare and kicked and thrashed. I can hear the 
small heads bumping on the floor right now! Can't you? 

Once, when my train was rushing through the darkness of a 
winter's night with the thermometer forty degrees below zero, 
and we were between Petrograd and Moscow, I saw many a 
little hut crouching in the snow — huts of only one room, with 
one door and one window, from which shone a crimson glow, 
evidently cast by the firelight. 



140 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

In such one-room huts whole famiHes Hve. When I was in 
Russia there was no war, and children had daddies who went 
every day to earn their ten or twenty kopecks, which kept the 
family alive; but now the czar — the Little Father as he is called 
in Russia — has ordered all such men to the colors, which means 
that they have been obliged to leave their families utterly desti- 
tute and go to fight people they know nothing of. 

These poor men do not hate those they are ordered to march 
against. They know nothing of the causes of the war. They 
don't want to fight, and most certainly they do not want to be 
killed. Yet the czar orders them to go, and they must go. 

These men of Europe have been trained from childhood to 
prepare for war, to expect war, to study to be soldiers so that 
when war came they would make good ones — that is to say, 
so they could kill men more quickly than they could be killed. 

We don't do that over here. We think war is horrible, and 
we do not compel our boys to do military service as they do in 
Europe. 

Is n't it a far more beautiful thought to bring children up to 
see how peaceful they can be instead of studying to be warlike? 

Which is the more civilized country — the one which keeps 
the soldiers armed and trained so that in an hour's time they can 
be marching out to kill their neighbors, or a country which gives 
land to any one who cares to go and live on it and which lives 
so completely at peace with the world that its neighbors are not 
afraid of it? 

I think the United States is the most civilized country there 
is on the face of the globe, because we do not teach war. We 
stand for peace, and every peace thought that my boys and girls 
of the Christmas Ship Class can think or act brings universal 
peace just that much nearer. 

Men in Europe are war-crazed. Crowds paraded the streets 
of certain great cities and shouted for joy when war was declared 
— war, that would make half a miUion women widows and their 
children fatherless. 

Now, do you realize what one Christmas Ship will do ? 

It will make these war-crazed men stop and think. They 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 141 

will say to themselves, "What is this? What have we done 
that a nation of children should be obliged to reach out in love 
and sympathy to the orphans we are making every day?" 

Men cannot ignore its message, or drive it away. 

It is there, before their eyes — a great ship, sailing safely 
through mined seas, laden with the most precious freight a ship 
ever bore, and under the Stars and Stripes will float our own flag 
— the white flag of Peace with its golden star of Hope and its 
one-word motto, "Inasmuch." 

Just after I wrote this the Christmas Ship was indorsed by 
many public officials as a "mission of mercy." 

"The Christmas Ship project has been indorsed as a 'mission 
of mercy ' that should receive the support of every man, woman, 
and child of the nation," said the Chicago Herald at this time. 
"County officials have given such an indorsement. County 
commissioners were unanimous in their commendation of the 
plan; individually, they pledged their support. 

* ' Some of them were glad to admit that it was their children 
who first brought the matter to their attention, and that the 
children were responsible for the hearty indorsement of the 
movement. 

"'I must confess that I had been too busy with a political 
campaign to pay much attention to the Christmas Ship plan, 
but my youngsters did not let me overlook it,' said one. 

"'It is a capital idea,' said Alexander A. McCormick, presi- 
dent of the county. 'It is a merciful mission in which I think 
the children of the entire nation will participate, and there is 
no more commendable thing in which they could be engaged." 

'"A magnificent idea,' was the comment of Avery Coonley 
of Riverside, a Progressive member of the County Board. 'It 
will have a greater effect on our future international relations 
than any of us realize. After all, it is humanitarianism that 
rules the world, not arms.' 

"'It is a fine thing,' said Peter Bartzen. 'It is a fine, 
charitable Christian idea, and the man who evolved it is a man 
of a big heart, and he can call upon me for any assistance in my 
power.' " 



142 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

When it came time to turn the attention of the children 
from a surfeit of toys to more useful contributions, I wrote the 
following in the paper : 

I have a new pretend game, children of my Santa Claus Class ! 

You are forever writing to ask me what is most needed — 
what to make — what to send! 

Bless your dear, generous hearts! You want to do just the 
right thing for them, and the very best you can, don't you? 

Well, now, if you will play this game with me you will learn 
what is needed from inside your own minds, and all I shall do 
wili be to draw it out — which is education. 

You remember, a long time ago, I explained that the word 
"educate" comes from two Latin words which mean "to draw 
out," don't you? 

Well, here goes some of that kind of education! 

Let 's pretend that you and I are playing Santa Claus to some 
poor widow in — let's say France! 

You be Santa Claus, with a big Christmas box from the Santa 
Claus Ship. The ship, you understand, has been laden in New 
York harbor, has safely sailed the sea, and is now bumping back 
and forth, tied to the great stone pier at Marseilles. 

I am a poor widow with six small children, and my pretty 
home has been destroyed. I am living in a barn which the sol- 
diers tried to burn; but it did not burn entirely, so I took shelter 
here after the army had passed on. 

I cried all night, for the baby is sick and I have no money and 
no food, and it is very cold. I have no blankets to cover my five 
larger children, but I covered them with the hay which the 
soldiers expected to burn with the barn. 

I am holding the baby in my arms, and sadly wondering if we 
will all be alive when night comes. 

The children come to my knees, crying for food. And I cry, 
too, when I have to tell them I have n't any. 

Just as despair fills all of our hearts, I hear a cry from my 
eldest boy. He is twelve years old, and his name is Gaston. 
He has run to the door and heard news of a miracle. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 143 

The village pastor has told Gaston that the American children 
have sent a shipload of good things and that no one who is in 
need will be forgotten, 

Gaston is wild with joy. He races in, calling: "Maman! 
EcoutezI" 

And then in French (for please remember I am a French 
widow, and can speak no English) he tells me that we are to 
be remembered, and before he ceases to speak a cart drives 
up to the door and some rosy-cheeked children from the United 
States climb down and come running in, their arms piled high 
with toys. 

At first we are too bewildered to speak. 

"Here," cries a little girl, "is a lovely wax doll for — • 

"Marie!" I say, seeing that she wants to know my little 
daughter's name. 

"And here," cries another American child, "is a beautiful 
set of doll's dishes for—" 

"Emelie," I say, pointing to my little five-year-old girl. 

"And here," cries a boy, "is a fine pair of skates for — " 

"Baptiste," I say, to introduce my ten-year-old son. 

My children take the beautiful toys with fingers blue with 
cold. 

"Why," cries the little girl in English, "see how cold your 
hands are! Where are your mittens?" 

"HelasI" I say, in perfectly gorgeous French, "they have 
none." 

"Why are you here — in a barn, with no fire and no food 
and no blankets?" 

"The soldiers burned our house," I answer, "and there is 
nothing left." 

The American children rush back to the cart. 

"This is no place to give toys," they say. "This poor 
woman, (me, you know!) needs bread and milk and potatoes! 
She needs a stove and candles and hot tea and warm blankets! 
She needs a shawl to put around her shoulders, and her children 
need coats and mittens. The baby needs a flannel petticoat 
and a warm sleeping bag! And they need — why, they need 



144 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

everything. They have nothing! They have only the clothes 
they are wearing! They have no money! Here! Open those 
boxes! Our mothers packed them for just such people as this 
poor widow with six children! (Me, you understand!) Hurry, 
and hand us those tins and cans and bottles!" 

Pretty soon I see the American children come running back 
to me. 

In their arms this time are the most wonderful things! 

There are mittens to fit us all! Shoes and stockings for all 
my boys and girls! 

A fire is built in the yard. The American children gather 
the sticks, and a Boy Scout builds it. 

They make hot tea and give me some. And they open tins 
of meat and feed my children, and when they have given me 
some money to buy things I need, they climb back in the cart 
and drive to the next place. 

They left us with some Christmas toys too, but somehow — 
toys — when one is starving — ! 

Now do you see what our Christmas Ship needs? 
I have ceased to be a French widow now. I can speak English 
again. 

And the play is over! 

This changed the work more than pages of appeals or hun- 
dreds of letters of instruction. Children are more easily reached 
by stories which stir their imagination than by anything else 
in the world. 



CHAPTER XVI 
How THE Dramatic Profession Helped 

IV/r EMBERS of the theatrical profession are so notoriously 
■^^■^ generous that it was no surprise to me to find that 
Margaret Anglin's company, in taking toll of every one connected 
with the play to fill a box for the Christmas Ship, simply set the 
ball rolling. Such generosity is contagious. 

Ruth Stonehouse, one of the beauties of the motion-picture 
world, wrote me a letter offering to dress dolls, and when I 
accepted the offer with enthusiasm, she made good by sending 
us nearly a roomful of dressed dolls of all sorts and conditions — 
mostly the work of this busy young woman's hands. 

After that, things theatrical went with a rush. 

Will J. Davis, Jr., manager of the Illinois Theater, and 
Miss Jennie Dufau, prima donna of the Chicago Grand Opera 
Company, each sent a cheque for one hundred dollars to the 
Christmas Ship fund. Miss Dufau recently made her way 
from her father's home between the firing lines in Alsace-Lor- 
raine, where she narrowly escaped being shot as an alleged spy. 
On her return to America she stated she had come to sing that 
she might earn money to help relatives and friends made desti- 
tute as a result of the war. 

Mr. Davis did not stop here. The Midnight Girls Company 
was at the Illinois at the time, and when they wanted to do 
something for the Christmas Ship he sent over to me to ask 
if I could suggest a way in which some of the prettiest girls 
in the company could be utilized. I have always thought I 
would shine as a press agent, for at such a chance my brain just 
buzzes. The wheels that my brother always accuses me of 
keeping in my belfry tower go so fast I can hear them. 

I suggested that four girls from the chorus of "Red-Cross 
Nurses" be put in a specially decorated automobile and sell 
the Christmas Ship flower, the white aster, at the noon hour 
in the loop. 

145 



146 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

They took it up with a will, with the result that four 
beautiful girls — Mona Sartoris, Marie Newton, Cleo La Moyne, 
and Fay Arthur — decorated the car with flags and bunting, 
with the words, "We are Doing This for the Christmas Ship," 
along the side. 

A. L. Simmons, the florist, hearing of the plan, sent over 
enough white asters to fill the car. It was a lovely sight. The 
girls were out only one hour, but they cleared forty-four dollars 
and proudly turned the money over to the Herald. 

Then Miss Bertha Mann, who was playing at the Princess 
Theater in "To-day," wanted to do something for us. She 
consulted the manager of that smart little playhouse, Mr. Sam 
Gerson, and between them a most novel scheme was evolved. 

Miss Mann's uncle, in the South, had sent her a bale of 
cotton. She decided to advertise that she would auction it 
off after the matinee, and give the proceeds to the Christmas 
Ship. Mr. Gerson cooperated with her, and the plan was told 
on our page. When the day came the pretty young actress 
was her own auctioneer and sold the cotton for fifty-five dollars 
to Mrs. W. H. Bogart, of the Hollenden Hotel, Englewood. 

The appreciation Mr. Berezniak had for the idea of the 
Christmas Ship deserves recognition and a place in this book: 

"Here is an opportunity to help the Christmas Ship," 
said the Herald. "It is given by a man who has attached no 
strings to his offer and is actuated solely by a desire to help. 

"He has set aside the matinee performances in the Royal 
Picture Theater, at 1369 Milwaukee Avenue, this afternoon 
and every succeeding Tuesday afternoon, as Christmas Ship 
matinees. 

"The man who made this offer to the Christmas Ship is 
Leon A. Berezniak, president of the company which owns the 
theater. He did not ask for this publicity. He has nothing 
to gain by it, for every cent of the proceeds of the play will go 
to the Christmas Ship. 

"This is what Mr. Berezniak has to say about the project: 
'The Christmas Ship plan appeals to me strongly. It seems to 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 147 

me the most wonderful idea advanced in recent years. Nothing 
I can conceive of is finer than helping, in some measure, to make 
the season of peace and good will have some cheerful meaning 
for the thousands of poor children rendered fatherless by this 
horrible war. I am truly grateful to the Herald for giving me 
the opportunity of aiding this magnificent project.'" 

Then Laura Rountree Smith, author of the Bunny Books, 
wrote me the following: 

"My dear Lilian Bell: 

"Hurrah for your Christmas Ship! When I heard about 
the scheme I put on my thinking cap, like Bunny Cotton-Tail, 
and sat down in the comer and wondered what in the world 
a busy author could do. 

"But, oh, joy! I have been dressing dolls all my life, so I de- 
cided to dress as many as possible, all sweet little crochet creatures 
with fluffy dresses and caps — everything to come off, of course. 
I have twenty-one ready now. 

"We are so delighted with your letters every day, and lend 
our paper to those interested, and to those who would be inter- 
ested if they only knew of the good work. 

' ' We are working here. The old ladies are making hoods and 
mittens. The little children are meeting together on Saturday, 
running to and fro with their workbags on their arms. The 
school children are interested, and we are all so glad to help. 

"'My fur and whiskers!' says Bunny Cotton-Tail. 'I can 
take a nap while the author is so busy with the dolls.' 

"I really believe he has curled up in a comer and gone to 
sleep with all the rest of the Cotton-Tail family." 

This busy author actually carried out the generous plans, 
and at the last she sent a great lot of most beautifully dressed 
dolls. If the children who received those dolls could only 
have known that the Bunny Book lady, who has given so much 
pleasure to our children, cut, fitted, and sewed those dainty 
garments, how much more valuable they would seem! 



148 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

Author ladies can sometimes do other things than write! 

I got many a good laugh out of my mail, for some of the 
letters were very funny, but nothing struck me as more amusing 
than a letter written by Mrs. Emma De Vault from La Rose, a 
little village in Illinois with only one hundred forty inhabitants. 

She wrote in part as follows: 

"Every one is enthusiastic and eager to help, and various 
and original are many of the plans. 

"The churches probably will contribute money, which can 
be used to better advantage in the city marts of trade. The 
Sunday schools will take up a collection, and some member will 
be delegated to visit our near-by city of Peoria to obtain a gift 
worthy the donors. 

' ' The ladies' aid societies are making warm little garments ; the 
'movie' company has advertised a benefit show for October lo; 
the young men will give a charity ball; the girls plan to make 
aprons for their forlorn little sisters across the sea; boys of 
the ages of four to twelve years will have a pigeon sale, climbing 
to the belfry of the old Methodist Church after the birds; the 
schools have provided a 'penny box' into which the pupils will 
drop their pennies. 

"A pie sale will be held very soon, each woman in town 
contributing one pie. 

"We plan at the close of the campaign, after all the gifts 
are in, to have a social affair, serve light refreshments, charge 
a small admission, and have all the presents where the public 
may view them before starting them on their long journey. 

"We are all busy and happy in the work, and you may 
save a good-sized space on the ship for the consignment La 
Rose expects to send." 

I think the originality of the steeple-climbing and pigeon- 
selling idea deserves being immortalized. But what struck 
me as so killing was that, after each one of the one hundred 
forty inhabitants had contributed — for between the pies, the 
pigeons, and the aprons not one soul might escape! — then, if 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 149 

a thrifty citizen had managed to conceal a nickel where the 
Christmas Ship fund would not be likely to look for it, he need 
not hope to evade giving it up! For lo! an evening was to be 
set aside when all who had given might come and pay to see 
their gifts stacked up for shipping. 

Wasn't that funny? And clever? 

The best part of it was that they made good. They filled 
and sent a huge packing case into which went one hundred 
twenty-two pairs of stockings, twenty- two suits of underwear, 
twenty-five yards of goods, and twenty-five cans of condensed 
milk, besides hundreds of other gifts. Topping this came a 
cheque amounting to $26.75, behind which I can see pies and 
pigeons and ingenuity and enterprise and generosity beyond 
the telling. 

If every city had given in proportion to its inhabitants as 
did La Rose, the cargo would have filled every ship afloat. At 
least, that is the way I make up my statistics! Off hand! 
Just like that! It saves lots of bother to figure that way, and 
is far more satisfactory to the feminine mind — of which mine 
is one. 

I only wish I had heard of every act of self-sacrifice that I 
might tell of it. I can only record those I have found by search- 
ing the files of the papers sent to me. 

But in the Herald I find this: 

"Girls employed in the office of the Municipal Engineering 
and Contracting Company have decided to give up part of 
their Christmas this year that they may send cheer to the war 
orphans. The following letter, with a cheque for nine dollars, 
has been received by the Herald Christmas Ship department: 

' ' ' Please use the inclosed cheque to provide useful gifts to 
be sent on the Christmas Ship. It has been our yearly custom 
to have a Christmas celebration and present gifts to each other, 
but this year we decided to do without our presents and devote 
the money we might spend in that way to a fund for those less 
fortunate than ourselves.' And the letter was signed, 'The 
Girls of M. E. & C. Company.'" 



150 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

Generosity of the real kind is this, for there is not a name 
signed. I wonder what was bought with that cheque? 

If / had been intrusted with the shopping for the Christmas 
Ship, I should have kept an account of all such, and published 
a list in my column afterwards, telling what was bought, that 
those who literally went without, in order to send their con- 
tributions to the Herald, might know exactly what went with 
their money. 

Dollars such as these are different from cheques written by 
rich men and women. The sacrifices of the poor are actually 
sacred in my eyes, and should be handled in a different manner. 

What do you think of this letter from El Paso, Texas? 

"Tithe-giving was revived at the Elephant Butte Dam 
project in New Mexico, where the Order of Elephants, composed 
of workmen and officials in charge of the government project, 
raised funds for the Christmas Ship, each giving a tenth of his 
earnings. One hundred woolen sweaters, mittens, and stocking 
caps were purchased for the Belgian children. 

"Two thousand packages have been expressed to Brooklyn. 
Another shipment went forward to-night, and to-morrow pupils 
of the girls' school will wrap and tie hundreds of bundles for 
the Christmas Ship car, which leaves Monday. To-morrow will 
be Christmas Ship Sunday. 

"One package sent to-night contained a red sweater suit, cap, 
leggings, and mittens from two-year-old Norman Walker, Jr., 
who used the Christmas money he was saving to buy his 
grandfather in Indiana a present. 

"A little Mexican girl brought a live parrot in a wicker cage 
for 'los ninos en Europe treste' (the little children in sad Europe). 

"Many bundles addressed in Spanish to the Christmas 
Ship have been shipped from this city to the Bush Terminal in 
Brooklyn. The gifts come from residents of Ciudad Juarez, in 
war-ridden Mexico. 

"Christmas greetings in English, German, and French were 
supplied by citizens in El Paso. 

"When it was announced across the border that the greeting 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 151 

cards had been printed, there were many requests for them, 
and practically every present was accompanied by a greeting. 

"A former chief of police in Juarez requested fifteen greetings, 
saying in Spanish that his little 'ninos' had heard of the 'ninos 
pobres en Europe,' and wished to send some presents. Several 
days later he brought in a number of packages containing Mexican 
dulces, or candies, made from cactus, nuts, and goats' milk, and a 
number of dolls and chairs of mesquite wood. 

"Other Mexicans have been equally active, and when the 
entire consignment reaches Brooklyn there will be enough 
Mexican gifts to cheer several hundred European orphans." 

Verily, the Christmas Ship idea seems to have had the power 
of a magician's wand ! You just could n't keep people from 
giving ! 

If you went to buy things with Christmas Ship money you 
hardly had to pay cost for the things, if you told what you 
wanted and whom it was for, as this from the Chicago Herald 
shows : 

"Several days ago the chairman of the board of directors of 
one of the largest railroads entering Chicago telephoned the 
president of one of the city's largest shoe manufacturing firms: 
T wish you would pack five dozen pairs of boys' and girls' shoes 
and fifteen pairs of stockings. Send them to the Pugh warehouse 
for the Christmas Ship.' Evidently the order touched the heart 
of the manufacturer, for when the invoice of the order reached the 
Herald ship department it was accompanied by a second invoice 
for twenty-four pairs of girls' and boys' shoes, the gift of the 
manufacturer." 

I was so impressed with this sort of giving that I wrote the 
following : 

Verily, it is true that "a little child shall lead them"! 

For the idea that the Christmas Ship is the work of little 
children has opened the hearts of the American people as no 
other idea on earth has ever done. 



152 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

Whenever I tell the story of the Christmas Ship I do not 
have to ask for money. Purses fly open as if by magic, and it is 
freely offered me. I believe if more money were to be needed 
than we already have, and I were permitted just to go about 
telling the American people what the children of our country 
have done for the orphans of the war — of the self-sacrifices, of 
the hard and unaccustomed work little hands and feet have 
performed — that I could get a million dollars. 

Just let me give you one example: 

On Sunday morning I was at the station waiting to take my 
train to Champaign to tell fifteen thousand people of the Christ- 
mas Ship idea, when I heard the words "Christmas Ship" spoken 
by one of a group of ladies. 

Those two words have power to galvanize me into instant 
action, no matter under what circumstances I hear them. They 
sound in my ears like the name of a beloved child ! So I turned 
in their direction, and immediately the ladies came over and 
introduced themselves. 

One had been in my audience when I had addressed the 
Prince of Wales Chapter of the Daughters of the British Empire 
when they applauded to the echo my announcement of Lord 
Northcliffe's interest in the Christmas Ship, and his splendid 
cooperation. 

It did not take me more than a few breathless moments to 
bring the progress of the Christmas Ship idea up to date for these 
ladies, and before I had finished telling of the sorrowful condition 
of the expectant mothers who are refugees from Belgium, one 
purse flew open, and one lady pressed some money into my hand, 
crying out: "Take this! Oh, take this! It isn't much — 
how I wish I could give more! But take it. Miss Bell, and see 
that it buys something for those unborn babies!" 

And there were tears in the eyes of all of us, for her earnestness 
and heavenly pity were contagious. 

There are only a few days more before the Christmas Ship — 
my beloved child — sails. 

But money may be sent later. If there are any who have not 
heard that baby things are among our greatest needs, please 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 153 

remember that your cheque may be sent to the editor as late 
as November 7 and still sail on the Christmas Ship, bringing 
comfort to some sorrowful expectant mother whose "man" 
has been killed, and who, in the hour of her greatest need, has 
literally nowhere to lay her head! 

These appeals never failed to bring what was suggested, and I 
love to think that many a terrified expectant mother's anxiety 
was allayed, and her wants provided for, by the power of a pen 
wielded in a quiet room thousands of miles away out of sheer love 
for a sister woman. 

About this time came the wonderful offer of the Liebler 
Company to divide with the Christmas Ship the profits of all 
performances of "Joseph and His Brethren." 

We opened a box office in the Herald building, and every one 
boosted the movement. 

The management sent me a box, so I went, and was so 
enchanted with the loftiness of the lessons the play taught that 
I introduced it to the members of my Santa Claus Class in the 
following : 

I suppose all the Chicago boys and girls who read these lines 
were at the Auditorium yesterday afternoon at the children's 
matinee of "Joseph and His Brethren." 

I have seen many gorgeously beautiful spectacles on the 
stage, for when I lived in New York I did dramatic criticism for 
two years and had to go to the theater every night except Sunday 
— but I never saw any play so wonderfully staged as Louis N. 
Parker's "Joseph and His Brethren." 

We sit in front of the stage and see the curtain go up and 
down, and scene after scene of richest oriental splendor unrolls 
before our eyes, but we pay most of our attention to the actors, 
and the text of the play. We are interested in its story, and in 
the action of the men and women taking the different parts. 

The time will come when you will make a study of the 
history of Egypt, and then you will realize that the decorations 
are as marvelous as the play itself. 

11 



154 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

All the carvings, arabesques, scarabae, garments, jewels, wall 
hangings, images, sculptures, and even the mosaics in the floor 
are perfectly accurate, and represent more time spent in careful 
research than it would take you to skip a grade. 

So if you observe carefully you will find that the play is very 
educational. 

Did you ever stop to think that a careful producer could ruin 
an oriental play of the time of Joseph by introducing a telephone 
into the last act? He could! The audience would completely 
forget all that had gone before, and would go out remembering 
only that ridiculous mistake. 

I remember once in New York sending for the manager of 
a play supposed to take place in rural England in the month 
of July, and calling his attention to the use of an American 
calendar, having the glorious Fourth represented by a great 
red four! 

In England they don't call any especial attention to the 
fourth of July ! 

Do you know why? 

The manager wrung his hands when he realized what a 
blunder that would have been if discovered, and it is safe to say 
that an English calendar replaced the American on the second 
night of that play. 

Every one who writes knows that the Bible is not only the 
most wonderful book ever written, but the most replete in 
dramatic material and the richest in language. 

If a would-be author should ask me to crowd the most instruc- 
tion as to mental equipment into a single sentence, I would say, 
without hesitation: "Familiarize yourself thoroughly with the 
Bible." 

A man or woman who has thoughtfully absorbed the spiritual 
import of the Bible, and who understands its imagery aright, 
has the best equipment for secular authorship that I know any- 
thing about. 

Why? 

Because, as in Shakespeare, you will find in the Bible every 
plot known to modern literature. You will find the richest and 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 155 

most varied imagery. You will find the loftiest sentiments 
expressed. You will even find sardonic humor. 

Did you ever realize that Job says in bitter irony to his 
would-be comforters: "No doubt but ye are the people and 
wisdom shall die with you!" 

In our language that would be: "Don't think you are the 
only pebble on the beach!" for Job goes on in the next verse to 
say: "But I have understanding as well as you; I am not 
inferior to you!" 

There is the thought which has been the subject of so many 
of our American slang phrases. 

Yet it is in the Bible! 

And as to running the gamut of human endeavor, the story 
of "Joseph and His Brethren" includes it all. 

Hypocrisy, jealousy, envy, greed, unlawful love, sedition, 
mischief making, idolatry, theft, and murder are on one side; 
while on the other are pure and innocent love, gratitude, filial 
obedience, reverence for old age, family affection, uplifting 
faith, and an understanding of God's power and might, which 
finally shows in a united family, prosperous and happy because 
of Joseph's obedience to his father's teachings. 

Joseph's mental pilgrimage is well worth commending to 
grown-ups as well as to children. He harbored no revenge 
against his brothers. He accepted without murmuring, or per- 
sonal rebuke, his sore bondage. Even when betrayed by Zuleika 
he forgave her. When cast into prison he was still gentle with 
his jailer and his brother captives. 

When summoned to the jail yard at sundown, to breathe the 
air, the other prisoners broke into bitter revilings and lamenta- 
tions, whereas Joseph lifted up his eyes to heaven and thanked 
God for His mercies. 

This state of mind was what made him overlord of Egypt — 
an elevation which was not in the least due to the chief butler's 
having tardily remembered him. 

And this is what I wish to call the children's attention to 
the most carefully. 

Think what it was which made Joseph such a powerful, rich, 



156 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

and wise man, so that the great King Pharaoh of Egypt gave 
him almost unHmited power, even to the declaration: "Only 
on the throne shall I be greater than thou!" 

Joseph bore his tribulations meekly, realizing that his endur- 
ance of rebuke was being tested. 

Then his obedience, his true humility, his gratitude to God 
for blessings which most persons would say he had not yet 
received (for he blessed God while he was yet in chains in a dark 
prison cell), and his everyday dependence on his understanding 
of Immanuel or God-with-us, were the things he was finally 
rewarded for by having his freedom from bondage, by riches and 
honor, by having the woman he loved for his wife and his aged 
father to dwell near him, with the good will and gratitude of all 
Egypt and its kind. 

Surely that was sufficient reward, and the best of it is that 
this is a true story — a Bible story, and one we can prove to our 
own satisfaction if we behave as Joseph did when similar things 
befall us in this life. 

Isn't that a wonderful thought? 

Of course the company caught the contagion of the Christmas 
Ship, so they had a Christmas Ship day, and if anybody con- 
nected with the play or the Auditorium let the day go by without 
contributing, I did not hear of it. 

We printed this description of it on the Christmas Ship page of 
the Herald: 

' ' Members of the 'Joseph and His Brethren' company forgot 
all about lines and 'Qs' for the time being, and spent the day 
wrapping bundles of presents for the children of Europe. The 
presents were purchased with money contributed by members 
of the company and attaches of the theater. Every one, from 
Katherine Kaelred, the leading woman, to those in the cast 
playing the most minor parts, and from Harry Askin, the theater 
manager, to the apprentice stage hands, gave to the cause of the 
Christmas Ship. 

"That portion of the stage in which the 'wrapping party' 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 157 

was held was soon piled high with bundles. Each bundle 
contained a complete outfit of clothing for some boy or girl, the 
ages ranging from one to fourteen years. 

"Each bundle also contained a toy, a little doll, or a set of 
doll dishes for the girls, and a gayly colored express wagon or 
a box of games for the boys. Many of the dolls were dressed 
by young women members of the company. 

"Among those who took part in the 'wrapping party' were 
Jane Farrell, Ruth Rose, Ingrid Hunter, EHzabeth Diggett, 
Mercedes Desmore, Jean Grey, Lillian Menagan, Grace Massey, 
and Mme. Brignole. 

' * Boxes of candy to go with the presents were contributed by 
Miss Farrell and Ben Gregory, who is the wigmaker for the 
company. 

"More presents are to be purchased and wrapped this week, 
and next week the company will hold a 'packing party,' when the 
bundles will be packed into boxes, ready for shipping." 

These bundles were extremely well packed and the contents 
plainly Hsted on the outside on stout tags. Where this happened 
it greatly facihtated the work at the Bush Terminal, for such 
boxes were shipped without repacking. 

But nobody cared! Whether the packing had to be done 
over or not, nobody complained. The generosity was so 
wonderful it covered all minor defects, and in that generosity 
the theatrical profession stands well in the limeUght of prompt 
and joyous giving. 



CHAPTER XVII 
What Detroit Did for the Ship 

"P^ETROIT and northern Michigan came into the Christmas 
-*-^ Ship work through the Detroit Times, and Tom May's 
cartoons were wonderful all through the campaign. 

I not only reproduce the splendid editorial which led off, 
but I choose to copy the paragraph which heads the editorial 
column. When a paper tries to be clean and help others to be 
clean, I think every one should give its efforts publicity: 

"The Times does not accept liquor and cigarette advertising 
or other advertising of an objectionable nature. Every advertise- 
ment in its columns is printed with full confidence in the character 
and reliabiUty of the advertiser and the truth of the representa- 
tions made. Readers of the Times will confer a favor if they will 
promptly report any failure on the part of an advertiser to make 
good any representation contained in a Times advertisement." 

"It is the children who must go forth in the morning of 
their lives without opportunity for education, without time for 
play, without preparation to make strong and healthy their frail 
bodies; go forth to toil in mill and factory and who, as they come 
to manhood, will find resting on their shoulders the great debt 
of a devastated country. 

' ' But the future offers problems we cannot hope to solve now. 
There is a problem, a great throbbing problem, that we of 
America and of Detroit can help bring into shape and write 
'happiness' where a grim hand is waiting to write 'disappoint- 
ment.' We can give those million orphaned children of Europe a 
Christmas made bright by gifts. To baby arms outstretched we 
can bring a doll, a book, a toy, a little something that will prevent 
the tumbling to earth of the child's rainbow castle of belief in 
Christmas. 

"The ship that is to sail from New York in December with 

158 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 159 

gifts from America to the little ones is a great ship, and there 
is much room. It should be filled to the uppermost deck. 

"We don't have to wait for the coming of snow, the hanging 
of holly, the chime of sleigh bells, the words of pastor and priest. 
The spirit that is alive then can be awakened now. The love 
that prompts the giving is just as great in golden October as in 
white December. 

"Time is fleeting, seas are stormy in winter, and the territory 
to be covered wide. The ship must sail many days before 
Christmas, and many days before that must be spent in buying 
the gifts and packing them aboard. So you who have deter- 
mined to give to the fund that will load the ship, and you v/ho 
have the spirit of Christmas sleeping in your breast, do not 
hesitate or put off. The time is now, and the need is great. 

"The Times is asking for the little children, the innocent 
ones who are resting secure in the belief that they will not be 
forgotten by the Christ child, by Santa Claus, by Kris Kringle. 

"The old saint will be busy soon — maybe too busy. So 
here in Detroit and in Michigan, why not mold a path across 
the seas that his reindeer steeds may bear away from us to the 
children of Europe, whose hearts are already burdened with a 
great grief, a Christmas remembrance?" 

From the first the Times gave space on its front page to the 
Christmas Ship, and its appeals were so stirring that results 
were obtained, because nobody could help responding to a call 
like this: 

" 'I saw a little child dead by the road, a great bullet wound 
in her breast.' That was what a traveler wrote to a friend 
in New York a few days ago in describing his trip through 
northern France. 

"Dead by a bullet — a little child, a creature of sunshine 
and joy, an innocent one who thought the world her friend 
and who tripped along the same road a few weeks ago plucking 
flowers and tossing their gleaming petals in the path of darting 
butterflies. 



i6o THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"And that is war. That Httle one is sleeping, and the bed 
of grasses will be changed for a casket and her brief chapter 
of life will be closed as the earth opens to receive her. The 
thunder of guns, the smoke of battle, and the flow of the crimson 
blood are not even a vision of the past for the child that lay 
beside the road in far-away France, a babe with a bullet wound 
in her breast. 

"Over nineteen hundred years ago another Child lay in a 
manger, and above His head angels chanted, 'Peace on earth, 
good will to men.' Because of that Child, each year has seen 
the coming of the joyous Yuletide. The love whose seed He 
planted back across the centuries bloomed most perfectly then, 
and its expression came in gifts, the giving of happiness to one 
another, and most of all to those of whom the Child said, ' Suffer 
them to come unto me and forbid them not, for of such is the 
kingdom of heaven.' 

"Oh, you in happy America, can't you hear the cry that 
echoes even above the roar of battle, the sob of little children 
whose lives must be darkened by the shadow of the Red Dragon ? 
See their little hands held out to you, their clear eyes made dim 
by tears! They are seeking love and comfort, and they need 
each ray of sunshine we can send. 

"The Christmas Ship! The vessel that is to bear away 
from our shores a great load of toys and gifts! What a ship 
and what a mission! Won't you help weight it down? A few 
pennies, a dime, a dollar. Toss them into the cauldron where 
the fires of humanity are burning, and let the alchemy of life 
and love bring forth its gold." 

Is n 't that a glorious editorial ? And is n 't it good writing f 

The state was in the throes of a political campaign, but 

one candidate for governor was not too busy to think of the 

Christmas Ship. I would have voted for him if I had been 

given a chance, just because of the following: 

"Chase S. Osborn to-day contributed one hundred dollars 
toward the Christmas Ship fund, with the request that the 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP i6i 

money be used to buy heavy, warm stockings for the children 
of the warring European nations. The RepubHcan candidate 
for governor said: 

" 'When I was a boy I could not have many stockings. 
There were ten children in our family, and we were poor. It 
kept father and mother busy supplying needful things. Our 
stockings were home-knit, and the boys and girls were taught 
to knit them. On Christmas Eve we hung our stockings before 
the fireplace in a log cabin, and next morning we were eager 
to find what Santa Claus had brought. Always it was a red 
apple. How nice it looked, and how sweet and juicy! Even 
apples were scarce, and they were a treat to be remembered. 
Sometimes there was a wonderful stick of striped candy. That 
was a treat indeed! There was war and woe then in our dear 
land, too. How I wish a big, red Michigan apple could go with 
each of these stockings ! There will go with them our American 
love, and our prayers for peace and good will. May they be 
answered in good time so that fathers may come back to their 
tearful little folks. 

'"But many will never come back. They will be in un- 
known graves. Always the dear little foreign children will 
remember what the good American Kris Kringle sent, and when 
manhood and womanhood fruits, there will be kinder hearts, 
and sweetness will offset the bitterness of these tragic days. 

"'What a noble thought — this Christmas Ship! How it has 
blossomed into a flower that will perfume the whole world 
and make it better! God will chart this loving Christmas 
Ship and send it safe to the ports of hunger and sorrow and 
pain!'" 

It is so much better to vote for a man who feels this way, 
and backs it up by a neat little hundred-dollar cheque, than to 
bother about his views on the tariff or the ship subsidy, is n't it? 

Here is another editorial from the Detroit Times: 

"Tuesday night, as a fog crept in from the river lands and 
was beaten down by the cold chill of rain, two little newsboys 



1 62 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

curled up in a doorway on Gratiot Avenue, and went to sleep. 
A gust of wind blew open the door, and their huddled forms 
were revealed in the light of a street lamp. 

"Fifteen minutes later those two little chaps were wolfing 
down food at a lunch counter, and clinking half a dozen coins 
in their pockets. Hurrying pedestrians had noted them — the 
roisterer on his way to fresh drinking places, the painted ladies, 
the leather-coated chauffeurs, the gamblers, the gangsters, birds 
of the night life — had halted in their milling to give comfort 
and to relieve the sorrows of the little fellows, because they 
were children. 

"It was a worthy deed enough, and all hail to the men and 
the women who gave! But if this was a token of the heart of 
the city and of the people, how much more should that heart 
respond to an appeal that is going up to heaven from the lips 
of a million little children. 

"A million orphaned babies in Europe will know, before 
the green spring comes again, the chill of the night air; thousands 
will go hungry and ragged and weeping, their father a memory, 
their home a house of sadness. We of America cannot do all 
that we would, but there is a day wherein we can help, and that 
is the day of the children — Christmas. 

' ' The old world is spinning on and on in its track, and nearer 
and nearer is drawing the Christmas morn of 19 14. The day 
is not far away when the children will again consult the picture 
books with Santa pictured in furs and pack, when plans will 
be formed for family gatherings, for the gifts that will go one 
to another, for all the happy tumult of the holidays. 

"The good ship that is to sail next month for Europe with 
its great load of Christmas gifts for Europe's orphans is already 
preparing its hold. In answer to the appeal in the Times the 
people of Detroit and Michigan have already started the gold 
and silver stream that will make up our share of the gift, but 
it must come even faster, for Michigan and Detroit are rich, 
and the need is great. 

' ' So hurry, hurry, hurry ! Don't wait for the peal of Christ- 
mas bells and the red, red glow of holly. It will be too late. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 163 

And you do not want to think of a little child on Christmas 
morn weeping because Santa Claus forgot, or was so busy that 
he did not have time to answer the voiceless appeal." 

Every paper in the United States which contributed to the 
Christmas Ship campaign mentions the flag not once but many 
times. And when it comes back to me how I saw it in my waking 
dreams — how my eyes seemed to see it floating from the main- 
mast, how I did not have to sit down and puzzle over a design, 
but how it suddenly appeared, already designed, and billowing 
valiantly in the breeze, I can only pause in wonder at the glory 
of the vision. 

Finally came an end to the time only. If the sailing of the 
Jason could have been deferred one month, instead of seven 
million gifts we could have sent three times that number because 
the people only hurried toward the last. 

The Detroit Times wrote: 

"The appeal to Detroit and Michigan for gifts for the Christ- 
mas Ship has not been in vain, and Thursday afternoon a train 
will rush away into the East bearing gifts for one thousand little 
folk in Europe, orphans of the great war. From the x\tlantic 
to the Pacific has poured a great harvest of toys and gifts, and 
in the Bush Terminal in Brooklyn are mountain-high piles of 
goods. 

"Detroit's and Michigan's gift will be unique. Word came 
from New York that toys were there by millions, and the need 
now was clothing for the little folks who have to face the chill 
of a long winter. In addition to that, the majority of those who 
wrote to the Times asking that their gift be used in a specific 
way, asked that clothing be bought. 

"So on Wednesday the fund was turned over to a competent 
buyer, who went among the stores and looked and looked and 
planned and figured, and at last got a combination that would 
be hard to beat. Here it is: A thousand sweater coats, a 
thousand stocking caps, a thousand pairs of gloves, a thousand 
pairs of stockings, and a thousand suits of underwear. 



1 64 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"Now, what do you think of that? 

' ' One thousand shivering Httle bodies clothed in the warmest 
of things, with a gay stocking cap to top it all. No need for the 
kiddies to stay indoors, even if Christmas be cold and snowy. 
The cap pulls down over the ears, the sweater coat buttons tight 
about the chin, and the gloves fit snug about the little wrists. 

"A thousand mothers who have worried over the chill, and 
shed many a tear, will give you thanks none the less genuine 
because they do not know the personality of the giver. 

"Next Tuesday the great ship Jason will sail for Europe, 
her hold filled to the decks with the gifts — dolls and Teddy 
bears and sleds and skates and candy and nuts and clothing. 
The great white flag of peace with a single golden star in the 
center will snap from the mainmast, and the Stars and Stripes 
from the stem. 

"The flags of other nations will dip in passing cheer should 
the war vessels of the combatants meet this Mercy Ship. They 
are manned by fathers, too, who will give Godspeed to the 
Christmas Ship. 

"You will not see the joy light the faces of those children 
in far-away Europe or hear their shouts of glee as the little 
fingers tug at strings and knots, but you can have the sure 
knowledge that the faces did light and the shouts of glee did 
sound in the humble cottages, and that the mothers blessed you." 

Thus, the campaign of the Detroit Times ended. I have not 
had space to reproduce all of its whirlwind work, — I have taken 
the cream of it. But I read it all, and appreciated every word. 
And I glory in spreading the name and the fame of it to the 
world. 



CHAPTER XVIII 

Baltimore and Savannah in Line 

OAVANNAH, Georgia, became interested in the Christmas 
^ Ship through the splendid campaign conducted by the 

Baltimore News: 

"Down in Savannah, Georgia, the boys and girls are as happy 
and busy as those in Maryland, over their plans for the Christ- 
mas Ship. Mrs. H. H. Breen, the chairman of the Christmas 
Ship committee for Savannah, has written Mrs. B. J. Byrne, 
the Baltimore chairman, for further directions for sending the 
gifts. 'So many people want to know all about it,' Mrs. 
Breen says, 'and will enjoy sending more if they can find out 
the details.' 

"In her reply to Mrs. Breen, Mrs. Byrne explained that the 
Red Cross is to have charge of the distribution among the kiddies 
in the war zone. That means that every country will share 
alike, and there will be absolutely no favoritism. This will 
also insure the gifts being given to the children who need them 
most — the little fatherless and homeless tots, not those whose 
fathers have not been called to the war and whose homes lie 
outside the paths of the fiercely battling armies." 

It is a bright, cheerful story that the News tells, and very 
interesting ! 

The campaign in Baltimore was in charge of Mrs. B. J. Byrne, 
and from the account of the various activities I do not see that 
she had time to eat or sleep. It just goes to show how marvel- 
ously the Christmas Ship took hold of people's hearts when a 
woman with nothing in the world to gain except the supreme 
joy of doing good, would work as Mrs. Byrne did. 

"Mrs. Byrne, chairman of the Christmas Ship committee 
of the Suffrage Bazaar," said the Baltimore News, "will appear 

165 



1 66 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

before the School Board this afternoon and request the Board 
to permit the principals of the grammar schools to tell the 
children about the Christmas Ship and ask them to help. 

"Mrs. Byrne is particularly anxious to reach the tots in the 
primary grades, who are not far enough advanced to read the 
newspapers. These children get the news of the Christmas 
Ship secondhand from their elders, or not at all." 

The editor of the News on October 23 published on its edi- 
torial page this beautiful tribute to the Christmas Ship : 

"How the soldiers of the opposing armies will fare in the 
trenches at Christmas is all too certain. But the suggestion 
originating in America that hostilities everywhere in Europe be 
suspended on that day is a happy and sympathetic one, however 
forceful the fear that the armies would use the respite to their 
military advantage. 

"At all events, the men, or those who may be living at the 
Christmas time, will have learned that, in spite of the horror 
through which they have passed, there are still kind thoughts 
in the world. They will know of the Christmas Ship from this 
countr}^ and of its precious cargo for the children. Many of 
those children have witnessed the misery that we on this side 
of the water know only from description; many, too, have felt 
the anguish of the war in dreadful personal loss — fathers, 
brothers, kindred — beloved dead upon the field, never to be seen 
again, voices ever more to be silent. 

"The ship will bear the gifts over the ocean, and will bear 
also hopes and prayers that the tenible deeds that we read about 
daily may cease. It is the generation growing up that will suffer 
by the war as well as that taking present part in it. A cruel 
legacy awaits those little folks for whom the story of life is just 
beginning vdth such a hideous impressiveness. 

"Never sailed a ship, we may say, upon a holier mission, and 
is it too much to believe that angelic ministers will guide her 
way? Christmas will be sad in Europe; but the coming of the 
Christmas Ship will lift something of the burden of gloom from 
the many stricken hearts." 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 167 

The campaign was short but spirited in Bahimore, and that 
beautiful city sent a most generous contribution to the Jason: 

"When the big wagons of the American Express Company- 
called at headquarters to haul away the clothing and gifts for 
the Christmas Ship yesterday afternoon," said the Baltimore 
News, "the men who came to get the things were frankly 
astounded. First they sent a hurry call back to their office 
for a third wagon; then they rolled up their sleeves and went 
to work. 

"It was one o'clock when the wagons arrived. It was after 
four when, the last huge bale had been hoisted on the wagons and 
had started on its way to the station. In those three hours the 
brawny and good-natured men pulled and tugged and hammered 
and packed as if their lives depended upon it. This is not in their 
regular line of work, but when they heard that those big boxes 
would bring a happy Christmas to the little refugees, there was 
no stopping them. 

"While one of them hammered the lids on the unfinished 
boxes, another painted the address on the outside, and others 
carried them out of headquarters and lifted them on the wagons. 
They thought of the fun the boxes would bring to the war refu- 
gees, and whistled as they worked, 

"All day yesterday the gifts were arriving. Some of the 
kiddies came in groups. Every now and then a class of bright- 
eyed lads and lassies, chaperoned by a teacher, would march 
in, each bringing a little personal gift for some little Belgian, 
French, German, Russian, or English child. 

"A dear old lady who described herself as 'too old to go to 
shop' inclosed a dollar with a sweet little note. The girls of 
Miss McCulloh's Oldfield School, through Mrs. Charles Mackall, 
sent forty- two dollies which they had dressed in their recreation 
hours after lessons were over, to gladden the little fatherless 
children in Europe. In addition they had donated enough 
money to buy one hundred pounds of sugar and four barrels of 
flour. 

"From St. Paul's Lutheran Church came two sugar barrels 



1 68 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

and one big wooden box chock full of snug winter wraps and 
underwear, and Miss Thompson of Longwood Road, Roland 
Park, sent a fine box of toys. 

"Even when the last box had been addressed and lifted on 
the wagon, and Mrs. Byrne and her busy assistants had time 
to catch their breath, the gifts still came. 

"American flour, American canned goods, American choco- 
late, beans, and soup will be distributed among the refugees 
when the Christmas Ship arrives in Europe. From Baltimore 
a big shipment of groceries to cheer the war refugees was packed 
among the clothing and gifts that left the Baltimore Station 
at eleven o'clock this morning. 

"Among other donations which were received to-day were 
two large boxes from Perry ville and Havre de Grace, and a 
donation from Cantonville. The Havre de Grace box was filled 
with winter clothing made by the little girls and young women 
in the Havre de Grace Presbyterian Church." 

Last of all came the second beautiful editorial containing the 
editor's tribute to everything and everybody connected with the 
Christmas Ship. For it, as well as for all else he and the Bal- 
timore News did to help the work, he has my sincere thanks. 

"The offerings for the Christmas Ship closed yesterday, 
and in ten days the vessel will sail upon her merciful and wonder- 
ful mission, bearing Christmas gifts for the children abroad 
with wounded hearts and bereft by war, and for the older people 
stricken, impoverished, and in many instances homeless. 

"The whole of this great country has cooperated in the 
storing of this blessed ship — the government, the railroads, 
the agencies of trades and commerce, the American people of 
all classes and creeds. Day by day the story has been told 
of the gathering of the cargo of this sanctified vessel— of the 
generous gifts of clothing, of hats and shoes and underwear, 
of the boxes and bales of things useful and comfortable — and 
finally of the playthings for the little folks. Here is treasure 
indeed, such as the Spanish galleons of romance never carried, 
and with it goes the message of affection. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 169 

"The enterprise, from the moment when it was first sug- 
gested, has been an immense and amazing success. Like wild- 
fire flew the happy thought; the newspapers took it up, women 
bore it along with enthusiasm, children heard of it with delight, 
men were eager with practical aid. It is pleasant to note the 
generous and important share of Baltimore, led by Mrs. Byrne, 
in the work. Sometimes such undertakings are carried to 
success merely through the contagion of sudden enthusiasm ; but 
this was accomplished in the most earnest and serious mood. It 
was felt that the purpose was one of the highest and noblest — 
to help those of our fellow-beings upon whom has fallen affliction 
as great as any recorded in human history. 

"Prayers and warm wishes will follow the noble ship as she 
speeds upon her voyage. 'The purple testament of bleeding 
war,' of which the great poet speaks, has been opened, and 
no one can tell when it will close again; but the journey of the 
American vessel, with her offerings for the Christmas time, 
may touch the hearts of some of those who control the destinies 
of empires and kingdoms abroad, and may lead to kinder thoughts 
than lately have filled them, and through that, to some assuage- 
ment of the horrors of the last three months." 



12 



CHAPTER XIX 

The Work of Generous Birmingham 

AWAY down south in Dixie, the Birmingham News took up 
the Christmas Ship work for Alabama and the surrounding 
country. 

Mrs. Juha T. Bishop was appointed Christmas Ship editor, 
and a regularly splendid one she made. 

Birmingham sent thousands of presents to the Christmas 
Ship, and by its daily articles, most excellently written, it 
stirred all the South to come into the work. 
Here is how Mrs. Bishop wrote it: 

"The Christmas Ship is launched! The children of Bir- 
mingham and Alabama, through the Birmingham News, will 
join with the children in other sections of the country and try 
to make as happy as possible the foreign children made destitute 
by the terrible war. 

"Isn't it a wonderful thing? Doesn't it bring the tears 
to your eyes? 

"All through this astounding war, how your heart has ached 
for the soldiers being shot down by the thousands, lying torn 
and mangled on scores of battle fields, while we are absorbed 
in baseball and playground sports, in outings to the Country 
Club, in society affairs, and visitors, and what not! 

"Poor, dead soldiers, swept out of life so needlessly and 
horribly ! 

"Yet if we could have asked each one of them, Russian and 
German, English and Austrian and Belgian, just before he 
breathed his last — if we could have asked him what was his 
dearest wish, he would have told us he would pass on peacefully 
if he knew that some one would take care of his children. 

"And if we could journey to any one of the many homes 
left desolate because the soldier had been killed, and ask the 

170 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 171 

sad-faced woman there what was her greatest trouble, she 
would cry, with tears running down her haggard cheeks, 'Oh, 
now there is no one to care what becomes of the children!' 

"But this year, in thousands of those poor homes, there 
would have been no Christmas gift for any of the little Olgas 
and Gretchens and Fritzies if it had not been — 

"Oh, if it had not been that Lilian Bell thought of a Christ- 
mas Ship ! 

"The children and the grown-ups of Birmingham are going 
to help load this ship It is going to be loaded with toys — with 
everything that will bring pleasure to the hearts of any child 
the world over. 

"America, which is not fighting with any country, is going 
to send to all the countries a message of peace and good will; 
and is going to send it by the hands of little children. 

"Can you fancy the sailing of this great ship? Never has 
the world seen anything like it. There it will go across the 
ocean, and the great warships of hostile countries will dip their 
flags in salute when they see it coming. 

"It will fly the Stars and Stripes, the great symbol of a great 
country; but it will also fly a flag that means still more — a 
snow-white flag with a golden star in the center — the star of 
Hope — a flag that will be saluted and passed by all nations. 
Can you think of anything finer than that? That white flag 
will say to all the warring nations : ' Look at this ! This means 
that Christ was born, the God of Peace and Love. In His 
name we are going to your war-desolated countries to show to 
your little children that there is still love in the world, because 
Christ was born.' 

' ' The children of Birmingham will help to load the Christmas 
Ship. They will not be denied a part in the great joy of knowing 
that the Christmas given to the dead soldiers' children of Europe 
was given by them also. 

"At last the keynote has been sounded, and the people are 
being stirred to the very heart. In every direction one hears 
of those who are working for the Christmas Ship. 

"When the Christmas Ship editor took up this work she did 



172 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

it with a full heart. It seems to her that never had such a beau- 
tiful thing been thought or done since the shepherds watched 
their flocks by night and heard the Message!" 

Mrs. Bishop got the same point of view that I did of the 
spectacle of many monster newspapers, forgetting all thoughts 
of politics, sectional differences, or journalistic policies, and 
uniting to work for the children. 

This is what she wrote in the Birmingham News: 

"Just think of it! More than ninety newspapers of the 
United States are working for the Christmas Ship! 

"Busy newspaper men, who are not supposed to have any 
great amount of sentiment, are giving their space and their 
work and their money to forward a movement that was founded 
on sentiment, and out of a spirit of pure altruism will give the 
best that is in them and in their paper — for what ? To help 
a great army of sorrowing children across the sea to have a 
happy Christmas! 

"The story of all these newspapers forgetting political dif- 
ferences and working together for this one beautiful cause is 
one of the most beautiful stories that has been told in a hundred 
years. 

"The News is glad to belong to such a band of workers, and is 
doing its best to add greatly to the cargo of the Christmas Ship." 

When the work was finished, I received a charming letter 
from Mrs. Bishop, part of which I quote: 

"My dear Miss Bell: 

"The story of the work that was done will take long to tell. 
When the news began to come in, it flooded the editor's desk, 
and shows an almost unparalleled interest in this work. 

"Away on outlying farms, little children picked cotton in 
the fields to get a little money which they might send in — 
twenty-five cents and fifty cents at a time; and even in some 
cases ten cents. One of the mothers, sending in this smaU 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 173 

hoard, wrote : ' I hope you may be able to do some good with it, 
for these were good children that sent it.' 

"One lonely woman, living in a mining camp eight miles 
from a railroad, sent a large box of clothing and toys. Women 
in small towns rallied their Sunday school and mission forces 
to make up big boxes of gifts for the ship. One of the leaders 
in a town fifty miles from Birmingham was a little crippled 
girl, who not only packed a box for herself, but so enthused the 
people of the town that they gave with the greatest liberality, 
and one of the largest contributions from any town came from 
that place. 

"Among the most liberal donors of the city were two Jews, 
both merchants, who filled large boxes with all kinds of clothing 
for men, women, and children. 

"Pretty society girls joined in the work, and gave toys and 
articles of clothing. 

"It was to be noticed, however, that a great deal of the 
giving was done by women and children who had to make some 
sacrifice in order to spare the money for the gifts. This gives 
the deed an especial beauty, and sets the Christmas Ship 
campaign away at the head of altruistic efforts. 

"The amount collected and sent by the Birmingham News 
was estimated at about ten thousand dollars in value. When 
one remembers that this has been an unusually hard winter 
financially, one sees how the Christmas Ship idea appeals to 
the people. Not only that, but never has the giving to the 
poor been so generous in this city as it has been during the 
Christmas season. It seemed that the spirit of giving descended 
upon them, during the Christmas Ship campaign, and made 
them more generous, more sympathetic, more ready to listen 
to the cry of need. 

"I hope you will meet with the greatest success with your 
book. Every one who contributed will surely want to read it, 
for the sake of the great idea which you originated, and the 
manner in which it took hold of the hearts of the world. 

"Sincerely yours, 

"Julia Truitt Bishop" 



CHAPTER XX 

What Cleveland and Moline Accomplished 

RIGHT willingly would I have devoted more space in my 
book to the magnificent work of the Plain Dealer of Cleve- 
land, treating their campaign as I have others, but in response 
to my several letters all I got was the following, compiled and 
sent in "as is." 

It gives the work of Cleveland and the surrounding country 
in tabloid form instead of allowing it to be set forth in more 
or less detail. 

The generous cheque for almost three thousand dollars 
arrived but a few days before the Jason sailed, and there was 
great excitement in the Christmas Ship department of the 
Herald when it came, for it was the largest cheque received 
from any one source. 

"Cleveland, that has been called the 'City of Good Will,' 
and the 'sixth in population and the first in humanity,' gave 
abundantly to the cargo of the Christmas Ship. 

"The call of the Ship of Cheer was first sounded in the 
Plain Dealer on October i. That evening the first response, 
a doll from a little girl who wanted to share her blessings with 
the children of war-stricken Europe, was received. Twenty- 
eight days later two carloads of gifts had been shipped from 
Cleveland to the Jason's dock in Brooklyn, and nearly three 
thousand dollars had been added to the Christmas Ship fund 
of the Chicago Herald. 

"It was an enterprise that united all races and classes of 
people. Cosmopolitans who were divided because of their 
nations' differences found a splendid spirit of neutrality in the 
Christmas Ship. The rich gave liberally; the poor added their 
small but nevertheless sincere contribution. 

"It was primarily to the children that the plea was made. 

174 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 175 

And they responded. From every school building great piles 
of offerings were gathered by automobiles and club volunteers, 
and transported to the receiving station. To describe the 
thousands of gifts would be useless. Everything that a child's 
heart could think of was included. 

"But older people would not allow their children to do all 
the work. They came, in automobiles, in street cars, and on 
foot, bringing clothing, shoes, gloves, stockings, underwear, 
flannel, blankets — everything new, substantial, and warm. 
The children gave the toys, but their elders knew that something 
else is needed where war rules. 

"One day came a gray-haired woman with the face of a 
Madonna. She said : ' Let us make outfits for the unborn babies 
of Belgium. ' 

"It was done. For two weeks forty women cut, sewed, and 
basted, making thousands of little garments for children whose 
mothers cannot prepare them. Was there ever before in one 
package so much real love as in the big packing case that car- 
ried those baby things away? 

"And the people of the footlights — the wandering enter- 
tainers in whose hearts the love for fellowman is always beating — 
they helped. From all the theaters in Cleveland they united 
one day in a benefit matinee. They danced and sang and 
mimicked just for the love of it, and the love of humanity. 
And chorus girls sold Christmas Ship asters on the street. 

"At last the work was finished. One hundred thousand givers 
had filled one hundred big boxes. Cleveland and all northern 
Ohio had heard the call of Lilian Bell to work for the Christmas 
Ship, and had answered. 

"Down Euclid Avenue at noon one day, moved a strange 
procession. It was a long caravan of trucks bearing Cleveland's 
contribution to the cargo. In front marched the letter carriers' 
band, playing 'Onward, Christian Soldiers.' In Public Square 
the procession halted, while city officials explained the signifi- 
cance of the movement. Then a prayer was offered, and the 
trucks moved on to the railway. Cleveland's Christmas Ship 
had sailed!" 



176 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

From Cleveland it is a big jump to Moline, Illinois, but a 
letter from the city editor of the Moline Dispatch so speeds me 
on my way that I quote a few lines: 

"Dear Miss Bell: 

"Let me know when your book comes out. A history of 
the Christmas Ship movement will be hailed by every news- 
paper having taken part in the campaign. 

"In response to your appeal, I sent you Moline's contribu- 
tion to your splendid Christmas Ship idea. I wish you every 
success in the world. 

"Very truly yours, 

"L. R. Blackman, City Editor" 

"The Christmas Ship," said the Moline Dispatch, "that 
wonderful vessel which was going to carry to the children all the 
things they dreamed of for months before the happy Christmas 
time, typified to the children of Moline something almost 
greater than they could understand, but they fully understood 
what Christmas without father and without the material things 
that to them made Christmas a joy, would mean. Little bodies 
contain large hearts, and it is only a small proportion of the 
children of Moline, and that proportion made selfish through 
the mistakes of parents and friends, that does not love to share 
the joys that come to them. 

"There was little need to work up the Christmas Ship in 
Moline because the cruel sufferings brought about through the 
war in Europe had already touched a large percentage of the 
people, through relationship with those in the war, as a large 
number of Belgians reside in the city. Moline also has been to 
the front in sending money and supplies through other channels 
to the seat of war, both to the Belgians and the English, since 
with them the necessity seemed greater. 

"That it is to those who have known need that such things 
appeal the soonest was shown in the small and modest offerings 
which came in at the opening of the campaign, and the children 
of those people who have not all they could use sent in their 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 177 

contributions with a faith that was touching, that the mite sent 
with love and good wishes would bring its full blessing. Later 
came the people who had waked up, and then, at almost the 
eleventh hour, there were heaps and heaps of great warm 
blankets, shoes and hosiery in dozens and dozens, new suits for 
boys, warm dresses for girls, caps, mittens, coats and mufflers, 
canned goods of every sort, and then, as if the fear had seized 
them that there was not yet enough, more soft, warm things to 
fill in the corners of the big boxes, until the list sent by one 
mother, in the name of her son and daughter who had never 
known what it was to wish for a thing without almost instantly 
receiving it, mounted up into hundreds of dollars. 

"Despite the fact that there were those who announced, 
every time any plea was made for the Christmas Ship, that there 
was want enough at home without sending away to another 
country to find it, there was a great universal chord touched when 
the appeal was made for the children — an appeal that brought 
forth not only beautiful toys, with wonderful dressed dolls sent 
in boxes by the dozens, but books, tablets, knitting material 
for mothers and grandmothers, and even sweaters and caps for 
the boys who are almost big enough to be called out to fight, and 
who may be if the wanton waste of life goes on. 

"Sunday schools took the matter up and raised money, as 
well, bringing to the Christmas Ship office great loads of toys, 
books, and pretty packages wrapped in tissue paper and tied with 
delicate ribbons, packages of which the workers never knew the 
contents but which, unwrapped, breathed Christmas. 

"The greatest feature of the Christmas Ship, however, was 
that the spirit it represented did not die with the sailing of the 
Jason, did not die with the passing of Christmas, even though 
there was, perhaps because of the Christmas Ship, even greater 
giving to the poor at Christmas time than ever before, but it 
still lives on, and continues to give warm-heartedly to the many 
needy whom the hard winter and lack of work are making 
destitute. Thus the Christmas Ship, which originated in the 
mind of Miss Lilian Bell, promises to leave in Moline a train of 
good deeds which will last throughout the year of 191 5 and make 



178 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

the spirit of generous giving more ready to wake at the next need 
brought to its door. 

"There are famiHes who never joined the Society for the 
Prevention of Useless Giving that this year denied themselves 
the pleasure of exchanging presents among themselves in order 
to send to those across the water. There are those who long 
to open their hearts and homes to some of those little ones to 
whom the gifts were sent, and who may be permanently bereft 
of a home in the fatherland. Has the giver of the smallest gift 
to the Christmas Ship failed to receive a tenfold blessing for 
his share in the Wonder Ship which to American children in the 
years to come will be more wonderful than any tale of fairy 
princess or Arabian Nights ? ' ' 

One of the greatest satisfactions connected with the Christmas 
Ship work came to me many weeks after the ship had sailed, 
and from a strange source. 

I was called to do special work on a paper which had not taken 
part in the Christmas Ship campaign, and the managing editor 
was questioning me closely as to how the work was handled. 

I gave him a brief history of what came under my own 
observation. Finally he came out with this: 

"The funniest thing about the Christmas Ship was what you 
made all the other newspapers do! Look at what you made us 
do! We never gave such a Christmas spread before in our 
lives ! We gave nearly eight thousand Christmas baskets to the 
poor of Chicago. You might as well take the credit for that, 
while you are about it, for you did it. Every other newspaper 
in the United States which got up a stunt of its own, in order 
to be in it with the Christmas Ship, was due to you — and not 
one of us knew it!" 

Verily, I am blessed by such words, more than if somebody gave 
me a million dollars. For more than a million little bodies have 
been warmed and fed by these great agencies, and if that is not 
worth more than a dollar apiece — say fifty per cent satisfaction 
to them to be comforted in their bodies and fifty per cent to me 
to be happy in my mind — then I don't understand true values! 



CHAPTER XXI 

Philadelphia's Marvelous Contributions 

TN PHILADELPHIA, that city not only of Brotherly Love 
-■■ but of magnificent generosity, the North American took up 
the work of the Christmas Ship, and one of the first to indorse 
the plans was Miss Anna Jarvis — the woman who instituted 
Mother's Day, now almost universally observed. 

"Miss Anna Jarvis, founder of Mother's Day," said the North 
American, "yesterday gave hearty indorsement to the plan of 
sending a shipload of Christmas gifts in the name of the chil- 
dren of the United States to the soldiers' orphans of the warring 
nations of Europe. In addition, she has offered her service in 
the work of collecting presents for Europe's fatherless children. 

" 'The plan suggested by the North American and other prom- 
inent newspapers certainly is worth commendation,' she said. 
'I do not hesitate to say that the idea is one of the most stupen- 
dous of which I have ever heard. I do not think any but 
American newspapers would undertake to execute a charity of 
such magnitude.' " 

The North American is the first newspaper which has come 
under my notice as predicting what I thought from the first — 
and that was, that Art will in some manner commemorate the 
sailing of the Christmas Ship. I hope that some of the men and 
women whose brushes have made me proud of American genius 
will recognize the limitless field the Christmas Ship presents, 
especially in mural decoration, and preserve the historical sig- 
nificance of the idea as it deserves. Or may some sculptor 
use it as a gigantic suggestion for a fountain at a World's 
Exposition! Or some skilled worker in bronze. 

The Philadelphia North American appeared with this: 

"Not all the argosies that have swept the seas since the 

179 



i8o THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

Jason went in search of the golden fleece exceed in interest the 
Christmas Ship, which will sail from this country to the strife-rent 
nations of Europe. The imagination quickens at the thought 
of it. The whole world pauses in its horror over the war to 
welcome the idea of a joy-laden vessel from a land of peace 
to a land of war, carrying the gifts of the children of America to 
the orphans of Europe. Perhaps a great mural decoration will 
commemorate its passage. Certainly the historians of the 
future must devote chapters to it, and it will be told of in song 
and story. 

"It is a wonderful opportunity for the little ones of this 
country to stretch their toy-laden hands across the sea to clasp 
the empty hands of the children on the other side. It is a 
supreme moment, not only in their lives but in history, for the 
spirit which makes all children kin, and every woman a mother 
of the race, to express itself in a beneficent outstretching of human 
sympathy. 

"Of course the women will be the chief contributors to the 
Christmas Ship. Without the work of their brains and hands, 
without the infinite resources of the mother mind and the mother 
heart, the vessel would not be a real Santa Claus ship, carrying 
real Christmas happiness. The fathers, too, must have their 
share in freighting it, for it is to comfort the orphans for the 
loss of fathers that the good ship will be fitted with every need 
and help to happiness that can be devised by American hearts, 
backed by American pocketbooks. 

"The Christmas Ship movement is but a couple of weeks old, 
but already it has caught the popular imagination and appeals 
to everybody's desire to alleviate in some way the universal 
suffering in Europe. The idea originated with Miss Lilian Bell 
and has been taken up by the leading newspapers all over the 
country. The North American, according to an announcement 
made recently, will open a Philadelphia bureau for the collec- 
tion of gifts, and will act as a clearing house for ideas as well 
as presents. 

"The North American has placed the management of its 
bureau in the hands of the logical person, Polly Evans, whose 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP i8i 

long association with children, whose big heart, and whose 
capacity for executing tasks make her an ideal partner for 
Santa Claus. 

"President Wilson, in the midst of the perplexity and respon- 
sibilities which the war has thrust upon him, as the head of the 
most powerful neutral nation in the world, has been glad to turn 
from the consideration of diplomatic problems to the simple and 
humane one of providing a real Christmas for the war orphans. 
Foreign ambassadors have been able to agree on this proposition ; 
the secretary of state, the vice-president, and foreign diplomats 
have found a chance to meet on safe grounds, and the idea, like 
a dove of peace bearing the olive branch, is hovering over the 
country, ready to spread its wings and carry a Christmas message 
of good will to nations which are tearing at each other's throats. 

"The ship must be laden with gifts typical of the generous 
spirit of the American children who sent them. They should be 
practical and durable and beautiful. The high spirit of generosity 
which has animated the movement must be carried out in the 
least details, and into every gift the children and their elders are 
asked to put their best thoughts and efforts. 

"Thousands of little garments will have to be made, and the 
practical thing to do now is to begin to cut them out. They 
should be made of good material, warm and cozy, following 
simple and artistic lines. We of America must remember that 
the little French peasant girls wear homespun garments which 
have descended from generation to generation; that the German 
child is clothed by the best industrial workers in the world; 
that the French needlewoman is renowned in all parts of the 
globe; and that Belgium is the seat of arts and crafts, as it is of 
learning. Therefore we wish our gifts to take to the foreign 
homes a message of American thoroughness and ability, and to 
stand the test of wear and usage." 

Polly Evans, whose real name is Mrs. Quennell, persuaded 
the Pictorial Review to contribute its choicest patterns gratis 
to any one working for the Christmas Ship, so all you had to do 
if you needed a paper pattern for anything you wished to send 



1 82 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

as a present, was to write to the Pictorial Review and tell what 
you wanted. Then you got it — free — which I think was 
splendid, both of the editors of the Pictorial Review and of 
Polly Evans. 

When I read her article about sleeping bags for babies I told 
about it in my column. And then when Professor Comstock, prin- 
cipal of the Shakespeare School here in Chicago, invited me to 
address the Mothers' Club of the school and tell them about the 
work, I used a sleeping bag — no! no! not to wear! — to show 
them how they were made. 

With her own money Miss Jennings, the English teacher, 
purchased material to be made up by the sewing pupils, and 
when Professor Comstock wished to pay it back to her out of 
the school funds for the ship she would not let him. She said 
that was her contribution to the Christmas Ship. She chose to 
make many sleeping bags, and it was one of those I used for 
my illustration. 

"The Child Federation," said the North American, "has 
taken complete charge of the packing and assembling of gifts 
for the Philadelphia district, and the paviHon in the City Hall 
Courtyard will be opened by them as a receiving station for 
the district. 

"Every large city in the country is organized to aid in this, 
one of the most unique and extensive movements of its kind the 
world has ever seen. Hundreds of workers, busy with needles 
and thread, cutting and sewing garments for the child victims of 
the war, have been waiting for this announcement. 

"The offer of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company to carry 
the gifts from this city to New York was followed by that of 
another company, which generously offered to carry the gifts 
from the Trenton people to this city. The offer came from the 
Trenton Transportation Company, which operates boats on the 
Delaware, and all Trenton contributors can have their gifts 
carried to this city without expense. 

"Another New Jersey town, Millville, is planning a big 
campaign in aid of the Christmas Ship. They propose to make 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 183 

one thousand warm flannel dresses for children one year old and 
younger, to send to the children of the war countries. A commit- 
tee is already at work, and a mass meeting will be held this week. 
"A big wrapper company has offered to do the cutting if the 
women will sew the dresses. Millville is going to make it a 
community enterprise, and the town is in a bustle of preparation 
to finish the task on time." 

Such interesting things happened all over the United States 
when the news was heard that a Christmas Ship was to be sent ! 
It went to the hearts of rich and poor, high and low alike, and 
it nearly kills me to have to pick and choose, and not use all the 
material I have! 

Listen to this from the North American: 

"Back in the Perry County lumber camps the big, brawny 
men who fell the trees have been talking of the war. In this 
particular camp, at Millerstown, there is scarcely a man who does 
not know the war country, because he is a native of one part 
or another of it. They are the type of men who are making up 
the armies that are lying in trenches and battling their way 
through foreign cities and towns. 

"Yesterday these men sent a contribution to the Christmas 
Ship which they asked to be forwarded to the children of Austria. 
It was signed by the names of twenty-three lumber jacks. 
Opposite each name was a cross, signifying that the man had made 
his mark, and that the dollar he had been credited with had been 
duly turned in. 

"The collection of that twenty-three dollars was attended 
with pomp and ceremony — you see that from the nature of the 
letter that accompanied the gift, written laboriously by the man 
who is probably the leader of the camp, Jonah Facer. Some 
names have the ring of Hungary in them, such as Ynon Preado, 
Semi Palo, Lucicia Yanasi, and Wesllia Movack, while others 
seemed Germanic. Whatever their nationality, these men 
entered into the spirit of the Christmas Ship. Their gifts will be 
sent as they requested — for the relief of the Austrian little ones. 



1 84 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"This is the last day of the reception of gifts for the Christmas 
Ship at the Child Federation Pavilion, in City Hall Courtyard. 
Yesterday the courtyard was a scene of great activity. While 
the city was breakfasting, the courtyard was a Mecca for express 
companies, for special-delivery wagons, for messenger boys, and 
for automobile trucks. When the city went to sleep last night 
the workers were still busy counting and sorting, separating and 
listing the hundreds of thousands of articles which came in 
during the day. 

"There were all sorts of incidents that lifted up the hearts of 
the workers, that warmed them when the chilled atmosphere of 
the receiving station had almost paralyzed their hands and feet. 

' ' One man came in with a twenty-dollar gold piece, and left 
it 'in memory of my only son.' Another man stepped up to the 
counter and placed fifteen dollars in one of the bowls, saying, 
'That is from the lighthouse keepers of New Jersey.' 

"Think of it, the men who guard the coast, who live in isola- 
tion in their remote lighthouses, taking up a collection for the 
unhappy little ones of Europe! 

"The Christmas Ship has brought to the top all humanity 
and tenderness, all the buried treasuries of love and sympathy 
that lie beneath the hustHng American exterior! It has called 
forth the spirit of domesticity that lies in the heart of every 
woman, it has set shopgirls and stenographers, women working 
in mills and factories, women of the leisure class, all to sewing as 
though there was nothing else to do in the world but to make 
warm clothing and nighties for the European orphans. 

"One of the first consignments of Christmas Ship gifts to 
arrive yesterday came from the Harrisburg Patriots, from their 
receiving station for the Christmas Ship. Thirty-one boxes, 
containing every kind of clothing, things to fill the needs of hun- 
dreds of children and to bring to their mothers' hps the first 
smile since the outbreak of the war, were shipped by the manager 
of the Patriots, Richard M. H. Wharton. Harrisburg's gifts 
represent an expenditure of twenty-one hundred dollars, but they 
also represent priceless treasures in the way of sympathy and 
compassion. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 185 

"Every one knows that Cape May Court House is not very 
big; but it must have been a very busy place during the last 
week, judging from the amount of work that has gone into the 
preparation of its gifts for the war orphans. E. L. Ross, who 
acted as collector and shipper for the residents of the town, 
sent in yesterday a box containing six hundred and twenty-six 
articles, which have been collected during the last week. There 
were things for babies, clothing for little boys and girls, shoes and 
stockings and underwear, knit goods, mittens, and mufflers. 
A box of Christmas presents, every one of them beautiful and 
useful, came from the residents of Belleville, Pennsylvania. 

"The Campfire Girls of Haverford sent in a contribution. 
The First Baptist Church of Danville gathered together toys and 
clothing for the little ones in the war-stricken nations. The 
Alfred Hayes Bible Class of Lewisburg, the women of Claymont, 
Delaware, the Ladies' Bible Class of the Olivet Methodist 
Episcopal Church, Coatsville, the State College Women's Mis- 
sionary Club, and the Tuesday Afternoon Club, of Somerset, 
sent boxes which spoke eloquently of the feeling the appeal has 
aroused. 

"Pupils of Mrs. W. J. Hulmes' class of the Upland Baptist 
Sunday school brought in thirty dollars, the result of a moving- 
pictm"e show given for the war orphans. The Christmas box 
of the Civic Club of Waynesboro breathed a spirit of tenderness 
in every little garment. One box opened yesterday contained 
several dozen pairs of pajamas. In the pocket of each pair some 
motherly person had placed a pink and blue washrag, so that 
there won't be any necessity for those little orphans to have 
dirty faces!" 

If I had Aladdin's lamp I would give it a rub and wish that 
I could have seen the making and gathering together and packing 
and loading of every box that went into the Christmas Ship! 
I don't see how any of you who had that wonderful work to do 
can forget it. As for me, I did not see one single gift that went 
into any box, or a box packed, or a receiving station, or anything ! 
And it breaks my heart, even yet, to think that I missed it all! 

13 



1 86 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"Christmas week began two months ahead of schedule yes- 
terday for the good people in and around Philadelphia who are 
going to have a part in the stocking of Uncle Sam's big ship 
Jason, for its voyage of peace and mercy to the suffering European 
orphans," said the North American in another issue. 

"At noon the Child Federation, which has entire charge of 
assembling and packing gifts for the Christmas Ship in and around 
Philadelphia, opened its pavilion in the City Hall Courtyard as 
a receiving station. Six hours later, when the pavilion doors 
closed on the first day's work, a long table stretching from one 
wall to another was laden with warm clothing, and packages 
and bundles of a hundred shapes and sizes. 

"In addition to the gifts of clothing the Child Federation 
received $77.70 in money during the day, including $31 sent to 
J. Ernest Richards, at the West End Trust Company, and $9.20 
received through the mail. So many people stopped at the 
pavilion and asked the workers to accept money donations that 
the Child Federation is going to station a cashier there each day. 
A total of $37.50 was left at the pavilion yesterday. 

"This was the Philadelphia districts' first day's contribution 
to the Christmas Ship, a movement which is causing similar 
activities in every large city of America. The Christmas Ship 
fraternity is shopping early. 

"And every gift has a story behind it. One of the first pres- 
ents taken over the counter came from the Baptist Home. 
Mrs. J. M. Morley has had every woman in the home busy with 
needle and thread. The opened packages revealed mittens, 
shawls, shirts, caps, and games. One parcel, pink and blue 
flannel nighties all done up with ribbons and Christmas cards, 
had this note pinned to it: 'Auntie Snyder, ninety-eight years 
old, made these.' Some little Belgian is going to sleep, on a night 
not long hence, with a prayer on his lips for good Auntie Snyder. 
"Two children, brother and sister, brought a boy's suit of 
clothes and passed it over the counter. 'There is a little money 
in one of the pockets,' the boy whispered, 'and please don't 
take it out. I want some little boy to be surprised when he puts 
his hand in the pocket of his new suit and finds the money.' 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 187 

"Edward W. Bok, president of the Child Federation, sent 
his secretary out during the afternoon on a ' Christmas shopping' 
expedition. Shortly after six o'clock she came back with an auto- 
mobile load of bundles containing caps, sweaters, coats, stockings, 
games, and toys. Another Christmas shopper went to a store 
and ordered a. suit of clothes and an overcoat delivered at the 
Christmas Ship pavilion. 

"While the greater part of the gifts received consisted of warm 
clothing for children, there was just enough of an assortment of 
games and toys to keep both the givers and the war orphans from 
forgetting that it was Christmas. 

"Willing workers aided in receiving and assorting the various 
gifts. They were Mrs. Thomas Robins, Miss Gertrude W. 
Pennington, Mrs. Mary Coolbaugh, Mrs. Albert Cross, and Miss 
Elsie Stewart. Polly Evans, who is just as much at home help- 
ing children thousands of miles away as she is providing pleasant 
summer days for children in Philadelphia, was another aid, 

' ' The pavilion will be open every day except Sunday from eight 
o'clock in the morning until six at night. Each night the Curtis 
Publishing Company will send a big automobile truck and two 
packers to take the gifts to their warehouse, where they will be 
prepared for the shipment to New York. All this the Curtis 
Publishing Company is doing for the Child Federation without 
charge. 

"At the warehouse the gifts will be loaded into freight cars for 
the New York port of shipment. The Pennsylvania Railroad, in a 
letter from J. L. Eysman, assistant general freight agent, offered 
yesterday to transport the gifts free from this city to New York." 

Some of the things that happened are just like things you 
read of in books. 

The things people did for the Christmas Ship do not sound 
like everyday life — they sound like stories people write — and 
sell for money ! 

Here are some told in the North American: 

"An old gentleman wearing the little cross of the French 



1 88 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

Legion of Honor, and showing in his bearing and in the cultured 
tones of his voice that he was 'to the manor born,' walked into 
the Child Federation receiving station yesterday. 'My wife is 
ill,' he said. 'She is an invalid. She made these things for the 
unfortunate of la belle France. They are not m.uch; they are 
all she could afford. You will send them, won't you, with our 
heartfelt sympathy?' He bowed with courtly grace and left 
the pavilion. The bundle contained an outfit for a little girl, 
everything handmade and finished with exquisite French dainti- 
ness. The invalid had put her little hoarded bits of lace and 
treasured embroidery on collar and cuffs of the dress, and thou- 
sands of stitches went into the plain but pretty undergarments. 

" 'I can't offer you any help,' said an Englishwoman, who 
looked with blurred eyes at the piles of garments which were 
being sorted and packed by the workers who acted as receiving 
committee at the City Hall Courtyard. 'My aunt lives on the 
border between Scotland and England, and she is taking care of 
three hundred Belgian refugees on her estate. They are living 
in the peasant cottages, and she has a big cauldron of soup pre- 
pared for them every day. They are destitute, with only a rag 
on their backs, many of them. I have given up my apartment 
at the hotel this winter, and am living in a boarding house to 
help her take care of them. I just want to tell you that you 
can never know — you can never tell — the horror of this war. 
It is a blessing from God that you can't.' 

"All day long an endless procession passed in and out of 
the pavilion, every man, woman, and child carrying a bundle. 
Mothers came with offerings for Belgian mothers. Several 
brought packages containing the little clothes they had made 
for their own babies who had died. One woman put a layette 
in the hands of one of the committee, and watched her with the 
look of thwarted maternity as she placed the linen and flannel 
with the other pile of baby things. 

"Those who did not bring their Christmas gifts sent them 
in by mail, and on each one was a message to some mother in 
distress. A note written in French on a layette, such as a 
wealthy woman would have gathered together for her own little 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 189 

one, read, 'From one who lost her own two Httle girls on the day 
of their birth.' Another mother sent a jaunty blouse and some 
pretty and sensible clothes for a Belgian boy, 'that he may be 
as brave and as patriotic as his king and his sires in defending 
his country's honor!' 

" 'Fur Kinder,' was the message on an outfit for an Austrian 
or German boy sent by one who stanchly supports the fatherland. 
Several German offerings came in during the day. One woman 
came in with her arms laden with gifts for little Hansels and 
Gretels, and said her mistress would be in from Germantown 
to-day with her contribution. 

"There was something heartbreaking about the doll a woman 
brought in and left without designating the country it was to go 
to, or giving her name. The doll wore a diamond brooch and 
a string of beads. Its shoes and stockings were bright pink and 
its dress a radiant blue. 

"It will be simply impossible to describe the boxes, barrels, 
trunks, and hampers that came in by express and were 
opened and repacked for shipment to the Bush Terminal. Sew- 
ing circles, churches, clubs, and individuals — whole towns and 
villages — are represented in the great packing cases which were 
filled to their limit of capacity with clothes that will stamp 
their donors forever in the eyes of the Europeans who received 
them as possessed of exquisite tact and good taste. Not one 
ugly garment has been received since the Child Federation 
opened the pavilion of the Christmas Ship. Nothing slipshod 
or untidy or illy made or poorly selected has been sent in. 

"Two things that caught your attention and wrung your 
heart yesterday were the number of children who have made 
sacrifices for the children in the warring countries, and the way 
in which the workers of the city and state have responded to 
the appeal. Late last night three girls from the Bell Telephone 
Exchange came in with several dozen pairs of stockings, gloves, 
and shoes they had bought for the Belgian orphans. The 
loopers of one of the big hosiery mills sent in a donation of 
clothing; workers in one of the Trenton potteries expressed a 
box of beautiful gifts. 



190 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"Early in the morning a little boy brought in eighteen pennies 
he had saved for the Belgian orphans. The children of the 
Presbyterian Orphanage saved up $7.37 and turned it in. Their 
teacher said they would have to do without treats and trolley 
rides for many a day to make up for their self-sacrifice. 

"The Methodist Ladies' Aid Society, of Betula, Pennsyl- 
vania; the Tabernacle Epworth League of Camden; the public- 
school children of Big Stone Gap, Pennsylvania; the Disston 
Memorial Sunday School of Tacony, and the Church of Christ, 
Oriston, Pennsylvania, were among the innumerable contributors 
to the ship. 

"Albert Cross, managing director of the Child Federation, 
announced yesterday that twenty-one hundred dollars had been 
collected since the opening of the pavilion. 

Here is "A Christmas Hint for the Christmas Ship," by 
William T. Ellis: 

"There is but one further touch needed to complete the true 
Christmas and American character of the Christmas Ship. That 
is for every giver to make his offering on the highest plane of 
Christmas good will and American neutrality, that it will exem- 
plify the magnanimous spirit of the occasion of the national life. 

"The way to do it is simple. Let each giver mark one of the 
gifts for the nation he is in least sympathy with. If the 
giver is bound to Germany by any sort of tie, let him send a gift 
to the British children. If for any cause he favors France, 
Russia, or Great Britain, let a gift be tagged for Germany or 
Austria. 

"Such giving would be a pledge of broad-minded sympathy 
and neutrality; it would reveal the human love of mankind, 
which rises above all partisanship. No more definite proof could 
be given of the sort of patriotism President Wilson has enjoined 
upon America, and it would breathe the innermost spirit of the 
Christmas Ship. 

"Of course, every such gift would be a message of American 
good will to the land for which it is destined. The news that the 
same giver had designated his friendly offerings for each one of 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 191 

the warring nations would spread far and wide in vindication 
of the reahty of American neutraHty and world friendship. 

"As always, the greatest benefit would insure to the giver 
himself. The act would be a token that he had risen above all 
bitterness or narrowness of partisanship. Added to that personal 
satisfaction would be the consciousness that the gift was made 
in the spirit of the Christ, who gave us Christmas Day and who 
said, 'Love your enemies, bless them that curse you; do good 
to them that hate you.' " 

The last day at Philadelphia must have been exciting! See 
how well it was written up in the North American: 

' ' If all the people of America who have been working to pack 
the Christmas Ship are as generous as those in and around 
Philadelphia, the good ship Jason will steam out of New York 
harbor on November 10, literally loaded to the gunwales. 

"Yesterday, announced as the last day for receiving gifts 
at the Child Federation's Christmas Ship pavilion, City Hall 
Courtyard, was the greatest day of the biggest thing Philadelphia 
has ever seen. The pavilion, after the last visit of the postman 
and the expressman last night, was buried under an avalanche 
of gifts. Nearly a hundred packing cases, averaging five hundred 
pounds each, have gone from the pavilion to the freight yard, 
packed as full of children's clothing and toys as they could be 
stiiffed. The number of individual givers and gifts runs into the 
tens of thousands. There are few towns or districts in Penn- 
sylvania or New Jersey which have not had some part in the 
filling of this ship. 

"In addition to the clothing and toys, money to the total of 
at least five thousand dollars has been turned over to the move- 
ment; this will be used to buy more clothing and toys. The 
amount received up to the time the bank closed yesterday 
totaled $4,485.14. After the bank closed fully five hundred 
dollars additional was received at the pavilion between three 
and six o'clock in the afternoon. 

"That's the kind of business they were doing at the pavilion 
yesterday. It's a pity every child who has had some generous 



192 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

part in filling the Christmas Ship, and every child across the sea 
who is to share in its joy, could not have caught a peep at the 
pavilion and its gifts. 

"From eight o'clock in the morning until nearly midnight 
the pavilion was busier than a toy store on Christmas Eve. At 
certain hours during the day the little space which had not been 
filled with cases, coming and going, was crowded by persons who 
were attracted by one of the most wonderful sights the city has 
ever seen. Hundreds stopped on their way through the City 
Hall Courtyard to stare and marvel. 

"In the center of the pavilion was a heap of clothing as big 
around as a house and so high that a man had to stand on a 
counter to reach the top of it. The pile of clothing reached 
almost to the top of the beams in the pavilion. This, too, was 
all yesterday's collection. Tuesday night the pavilion had been 
cleaned out spick and span, ready to start a new day. Sixty- 
four big packing cases had been loaded and carted away to the 
warehouse before yesterday's pile started to grow. 

"Just to give you some idea how the big packing cases came 
in during the busy day, twelve women started to work at ten 
o'clock yesterday morning unwrapping parcels. They worked 
like beavers until seven o'clock last night. Behind the counter 
other women took in parcels at the rate of one a minute during 
the day. The postman made a visit to the pavilion once an 
hour. The parcels post auto truck backed up to the pavilion 
door ten or twelve times during the day. Late in the day the 
truck came loaded to the roof with parcels. ' I must hurry back, 
for we have two more loads to bring here,' said the driver. 
Expressmen came so frequently that one wagon coming to the 
pavilion usually met another going away. This does not include 
the hundreds of children and grown-ups who carried their own 
gifts to the pavilion. 

"That's how the pile in the middle of the floor grew so fast. 
A group of men was kept busy all day unpacking the cases that 
came in by freight and express. The twelve women sorted the 
parcels as they came from the cases, the postmen, and the 
expressmen, and tied them in bundles and marked them. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 193 

"You may think these workers were so busy during the day 
that they did not have time to find any stories in back of the 
bundles and parcels that piled up so rapidly. They did, though ; 
a story in almost every gift. 

"For example, there is one story that will interest the hun- 
dreds of friends of the North American Sanitarium children at 
Ventnor. A big box came addressed to the Christmas Ship 
pavilion yesterday from the little boys and girls with the bent 
legs and lame backs in the sanitarium. The nurses there have 
been telling the children about the war orphans, and the children 
have sat by the hour begging to hear more about the little Belgian 
boys and girls whose fathers went away to war and never came 
back. They wanted to help, and their pillows at night were wet 
with tears because they could not. And your heart would have 
cried out if you had seen that box from the sanitarium when it 
was opened yesterday. Perhaps you have heard the story of 
Jennie, one of the sunshine girls at the sanitarium; if you have, 
you will recall the little basket she clasped so firmly in her hands. 
This basket was Jennie's treasure, everything she had. Jennie's 
basket was in the box that came from the sanitarium yesterday, 
which means that Jennie's heart was there too. Every child 
who had a part in filling the box gave just as Jennie did. There 
were tiny little dolls in boxes, games, little dolls' furniture woven 
out of reeds and willows. Each of the nurses at the sanitarium 
sent a warm garment. 

"Then there was the German woman who came in yesterday 
and gave a dozen pairs of stockings. Pinned to each pair of 
stockings was a note. 'My husband's brother disappeared 
several years ago, and we believe he is in Germany. I have 
put a note in each pair of stockings giving his name, and asking 
every one who receives one of these gifts to send any information 
concerning him to me.' 

"A week ago several girls who have charge of the Court 
Aid Society, undertook to make some things for the Christmas 
Ship. Their gifts arrived yesterday, a large box of knitted 
caps and slippers and warm clothing. 

"Several towns in Pennsylvania and New Jersey made 



194 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

the Christmas Ship movement community affairs. One of 
these towns was Wellsboro. The expressman brought three 
big boxes packed in Wellsboro under the direction of Mrs. C. 
C. Bennett. 

"Roebling, New Jersey, sent four cases, with which every one 
in the town had something to do. Rising Sun, Maryland, a 
town of five hundred, sent a box, and an offer from one of the 
merchants in the town to be one of the group of Americans 
to stock the ship with flour for the widows and orphans of 
Europe's war countries. 

"A box of clothing from St. Andrew Reformed Church, 
Allentown, Pennsylvania, was really a community gift. The 
church supervised the work of collecting and packing, but all 
Allentown and Lehigh Valley had a part. The contents of 
the box was valued at one hundred and thirty dollars. 'The 
box was large enough for the goods we had, but no box could 
contain the love and sympathy that the donors feel in their 
hearts for these poor unfortunates,' wrote the Reverend Robert 
M. Kern, pastor of the church. 

"Cash gifts came in almost as rapidly as did the clothing 
and toys. Late in the afternoon an envelope containing $102.63 
was left at the pavilion, a gift from the girls at the Agnes Irwin 
School. 

"Ten-year-old Isabelle Bailey of Collingswood, New Jersey, 
brought $11.50 to the pavilion. Isabelle, with three little 
friends, Alice Carson, Lillian Depui, and Ruth Clark, had 
collected the money by house-to-house visits among their 
friends in the town. The Williamsport Sun sent $192.84, 
which that newspaper had collected for the Christmas Ship. 

"A group of girls in the Land Title Building sent a practical 
gift. It consisted of seven cases of canned soup, each case 
containing forty-eight cans. The girls at the Telephone Ex- 
change at Oak Lane sent a box of clothing. A woman came 
to the pavilion yesterday with a story of how hard she had 
tried to get something to send on the Christmas Ship. 'I 
haven't anything to send,' she said, 'but if you will let me, 
I would like to scrub out this building or do something to help.' 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 195 

She's coming this morning to play her part in the Christmas 
Ship on her knees, scrubbing the floor of the pavilion. 

"No movement so vast in extent in recent years has been 
handled with such a minimum of expense and maximum of 
efficiency. The Child Federation proved itself capable of 
undertaking big things and carrying them through. The pur- 
chasing committee, headed by Miss Elsie Stuart, will spend 
the cash donations on more clothing and on toys. 

"Under the directions of Mrs. Thomas Robins, chairman 
of the woman's committee, workers have labored early and 
late in the pavilion, putting into the parcels some of the same 
kind of love that prompted the givers to send them." 

When everything was over and the magnificient consign- 
ment from generous Philadelphia was on its way, this editorial, 
headed "Two Wonderful Cargoes," appeared. I quote it in 
ftdl in order to show what else the Philadelphians did, besides 
sending two carloads of presents to my Christmas Ship. 

Listen to what the Wanamakers did! They certainly do 
deserve their wealth if anybody ever did! 

"Across the wintry sea two ships are speeding from this 
country to Europe freighted with strange cargoes. They are 
neither commissioned for war nor chartered for trade. They 
are on a mission of benevolence, of human helpfulness and 
loving kindness. No craft was ever employed upon voyages 
more glorious; none ever was followed with such heartfelt 
good will. 

"On Thursday, from Philadelphia, sailed the mercy ship 
Thelma, laden with food for famine-stricken Belgium. On 
Saturday, from New York, left the United States Wonder Ship 
Jason, her hold packed with Christmas gifts for the war orphans 
of eight nations. The cargo of the freighter came from the 
big-hearted people of Philadelphia and near-by communities; 
the government vessel was loaded with gifts from scores of 
cities throughout the country. 

"The thought of the Christmas Ship, which was the first 



196 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

to be suggested, was more than a brilliant conception; it was 
nothing short of an inspiration. Its appeal was universal, 
and its influence will be felt in blessing throughout the world. 

"The power of this simple idea was so great that every 
warring nation, deaf to all other appeals involving unity of 
thought or action, yielded to its charm; so great that the United 
States modified its rigid policy of inaction and supplied a naval 
vessel for the transportation; so great that the ministers and 
ambassadors of the belligerent powers, otherwise implacable in 
their official antagonisms, exerted themselves eagerly to forward 
a project designed to benefit war victims of all the nations. 

"More than all this, the gracious spell of the idea subdued 
for the time the rancor of partisanship. Those contributors 
who in blood or sympathy are German or English or French 
or Austrian or Russian did not seek to favor their own kind. 
The picture they saw was of forlorn little children; and they 
did not ask whether their gifts were to bring light to the darkened 
homes of friends or foes. 

"It is not strange that a thought so touching, yet so 
practical, should have been born in the heart of a woman. No- 
where else is there such intuitive yearning to childhood, such 
understanding of the tender meaning of Christmas, such sym- 
pathy with the blank grief that the festival must bring to 
uncounted homes shadowed by death or the terror of it. 

"Lilian Bell, whose suggestion started the movement, knew 
instinctively that it would bring a generous response. For 
what could be more appealing than the opportunity to assuage 
the sorrow of children on the day whose joy is the world's heri- 
tage from the Babe of Bethlehem? 

"But an idea of this magnitude needed to carry it out a 
man of rare vision and capacity, and it found its ablest champion 
in the editor of the Chicago Herald. This journalist, who be- 
lieves that a newspaper should be more than a lifeless mirror 
of events — should have a heart as well as intelligence behind 
it — put his genius for organization into the movement, and 
worked tirelessly for its success. 

"He enlisted the cooperation of more than two hundred 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 197 

newspapers of the country. Through them the Christmas appeal 
was made on behalf of the little war orphans, and the big- 
hearted American people did the rest. When the great ship, 
under the protection of the American flag, the Red Cross emblem, 
and all the sea patrols of the warring nations, sailed on her 
cheerful pilgrimage to the ports of the war-torn countries, she 
carried ten thousand big cases and ten thousand additional 
express packages filled with articles of clothing and Christmas 
gifts — enough, the army officer in charge of the shipment 
declared, to give something to seven million women and children. 

"The North American had the honor of being selected to 
promote the plan in Philadelphia; and its readers responded, 
as they always do, with splendid generosity. No less than 
to the public, however, is credit due to the Child Federation, 
which unselfishly volunteered to take over management of 
the enterprise. It was the wonderfully efficient work of this 
organization in receiving and transporting the countless gifts 
that made Philadelphia's contribution of two carloads for the 
Christmas Ship's cargo notable for its completeness and com- 
petent handling. 

''The response to the appeal was so bewildering in its extent 
and diversity that a thousand thrilling and touching stories 
would not do justice to the great outpouring of sentiment and 
generosity. 

"It is impressive enough to say that more than six thousand 
dollars in money was contributed and turned into clothing and 
shoes that will keep hundreds of little ones warm during the 
winter of war; that there were nearly twenty-five thousand 
pairs of stockings; seven hundred suits of underwear; one 
thousand four hundred infants' outfits, each with eighteen 
articles; one thousand three hundred blankets; four thousand 
sweaters; three thousand eight hundred pairs of gloves, and 
mittens, and many other articles, making a total of one hundred 
sixteen thousand items; that newspapers, schools, churches, 
and organizations innumerable in this and near-by states joined 
in the work. 

"But mere statistics do not tell the story; they do not record 



198 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

the eager, personal sympathy of men and women and children 
for little ones they will never see ; the sacrifices represented in 
gifts from those who could ill afford them; the pitying messages 
sent to the far-off sufferers from war; the unspoken sorrow that 
found surcease in helping in this work of love. 

"The daily scene at the headquarters made a wonderful 
picture of the democracy of good will. Here was a woman in 
worn clothing, stinting herself to give a day's wages 'in memory 
of my little boy ' ; next to her, perhaps, a well-groomed business 
man passing over a substantial sum with a cheery word; then 
a bereaved mother, offering little, dainty garments that her own 
lost baby would have worn; then a big bronzed man with an 
offering from the lighthouse keepers; or an eager child emptying 
a few pennies, warm from his hand. 

"Surely the big heart of the American people never had a 
finer expression than in this demonstration of humane feeling. 
The appeal to which they responded was of singular force. It 
carried a picture of little lives not only darkened by grief and 
privation, but by the shadow of Christmas — the day of the 
Child — giftless and cheerless. 

"There was peculiar pathos even in the thought that these 
fatherless ones live in countries that have taught all mankind 
the joyousness of the season, and have wreathed its sacred 
festival with the garlands of tender, poetic custom. 

"So the Christmas Ship sailed on its journey, bearing a little 
happiness to unnumbered homes where sorrow broods, and 
carrying a message of peace and good will that sounded like an 
echo of the song that woke the herdsmen of Judea on the first 
Christmas night. 

"No less, surely, will Philadelphia follow with pride and 
sympathy that other ship, more peculiarly her own, whose 
mission is to save the lives of famine-stricken Belgium. The 
idea of the Thelma was the inspiration of a man; and John 
Wanamaker supplied not only the big idea but the big ship. 

' ' The splendid initiative and the transportation cost were his 
contributions; then, as in other cases, the appeal was made by 
the newspapers — all the Philadelphia journals working together 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 199 

— and the making of the cargo was left to the public. Never, 
we confidently declare, did a community make such a response. 
It was on Saturday morning a week ago that the first announce- 
ment was made. Inside of forty-eight hours the cargo had been 
provided for, in cash or consignments of food. By Tuesday 
night the contributions totaled one hundred and forty thousand 
dollars and on Thursday the Thelma sailed, loaded to the 
hatches with a cargo of supplies valued in the manifest at one 
hundred and forty thousand dollars. Another vessel for the 
war sufferers, known as the 'Thanksgiving Ship,' is already 
under charter by Mr. Wanamaker. 

' ' The outpouring of charity on behalf of Belgium tested even 
the admirable arrangements made to meet it. Men and women 
and children thronged the headquarters, and money piled up 
so fast that it was impossible to record it. The rich gave of 
their abundance and the poor of their poverty. The contribu- 
tions ranged from cheques with four figures to the pennies of the 
newsboys. Inmates of homes, of orphanages, and of hospitals 
sent their gifts. Churches and business organizations, clubs and 
lodges, and groups of office, store, and factory workers added 
their offerings to those of unnumbered individuals. The very 
prisoners in the penitentiary from their scanty earnings sent 
twenty-six barrels of flour to the ship, and there were countless 
other gifts that meant not only life to the famished victims of 
the war but the sacrifice of comforts by the givers. 

"The swift loading of the Thelma was a demonstration of 
the limitless benevolence of Philadelphia, the more striking 
because it followed so closely and exceeded in magnitude the 
consignment of gifts for the Christmas Ship. But her right to 
the name of the City of Brotherly Love does not rest upon 
these two enterprises, splendid as they are. Philadelphia has 
a long and noble record of philanthropy, of the open-handed 
charity that vaunts not itself but is ever ready to answer the 
call of suffering humanity. 

"The two ships that have gone will do more than relieve 
stiff ering and lighten sorrow; they will give to the word neu- 
trality a greater meaning than a proclamation could give, and 



200 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

will spread, we know not how far, teachings of brotherhood 
that will never be forgotten. For the drawing together of 
America and Europe in this hour of stress shows that deep down 
beneath the ruin wrought by war there is a foundation of human 
sympathy among all the races of men. It is upon this that 
civilization rests, and will remain unshaken when the storm 
of hatred has spent its fury and passed away." 

I consider the campaign of the Philadelphia North Ameri- 
can to have been brilliantly conducted, and its articles most 
appealingly and sympathetically written. 



CHAPTER XXII 
How Sioux Falls Reached Out 

CAROL DOTSON of the Sioux Falls Press took up the Christ- 
mas Ship work with enthusiasm, and, by urging all the 
other Dakota papers to come in, was largely responsible for the 
showing the Northwest made for the cause. 

Here is the opening story, under the heading : ' ' The Christmas 
Ship Lady's Talk to the Children," written by Miss Florence Fox: 

"Here's a greeting to all the boys and girls working for the 
Christmas Ship! 

"Of course, by now, you have read of the Christmas Ship 
and for what it stands. You know that Miss Lilian Bell, of the 
Chicago Herald, asked the boys and girls of America to start work 
for a Christmas Ship that would carry gifts from the children in 
the United States to the children in Europe whose fathers are 
away fighting in the terrible war that is waging there now. 
And then she asked the editors of newspapers in all parts of the 
country to take up the idea and urge the children in their particu- 
lar locality to help. So the editor of the Press wrote an article in 
the Press telling of the beautiful idea and reprinting Miss Bell's 
appeal, and that is how you boys and girls of all this splendid 
state of South Dakota have an opportunity to help in this 
wonderful project. 

' ' I get so wildly enthusiastic planning for it that little thrilly 
feelings keep running up and down my spine. Think of the fun 
we are going to have getting that ship ready to sail, and think 
of the fun those fatherless boys and girls are going to have 
receiving these gifts we are getting ready! 

"You know that the reason we have Christmas at all is 
because almost nineteen hundred years ago the little baby Jesus 
was bom in the city of Bethlehem. And the Bible says : 'Behold, 
there came wise men from the east . . . saying, Where is he 
that is bom King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the 

14 201 



202 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

east and have come to worship him'; and when the three wise 
men followed the star to where it rested over the stable where 
the tiny Jesus lay, the Bible goes on to tell us that 'they rejoiced 
with exceeding great joy . . . and they fell down and wor- 
shiped him; and when they had opened their treasures they 
presented to him their gifts: gold and frankincense and myrrh.' 
The names of these Wise Men were Caspar, Balthasar, and 
Melchior, and tradition tells us that one came from the east, one 
from the south, and one from the west. 

"There are three divisions, geographically, to our country — 
the East, comprising all the states east of the Appalachian 
Mountains and bordering the Atlantic Ocean; the West, taking 
in all the Rocky Mountain states and those of the Pacific coast ; 
and, biggest and best of the whole country, the Interior, or 
Middle West, where we live. 

"Now I can plainly see you are beginning to catch my idea! 

"The three divisions of the big United States will represent 
the three wise men; the East, Caspar; the West, Balthasar; 
the Interior, Melchior. And we'll call the Christmas Ship the 
Star, because it will bring hope and joy to thousands of sorrowing 
homes just as the Star of Bethlehem did so many hundreds of 
years ago. And the East and the West and the Interior will 
send gifts on the Christmas Ship to the boys and girls of Europe 
because of the baby Jesus whose star Caspar, Balthasar, and 
Melchior followed long ago ! And in giving these gifts of ours we 
are really giving them to Him, for He said, 'Inasmuch as ye did 
it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it 
unto Me!'" 

There was a breeziness about the way the West went to work. 
Nothing seemed too big for it to attempt. It never does on any 
subject, for that matter. I am proud of the West. 

Miss Fox did not waste a moment. 

"Boys and girls," she wrote in her talk to the children, "I 
have a great scheme, and I want to tell you what it is: I want 
one thousand dollars to come from this state besides the toys 
and mittens and caps and other things that you children are 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 203 

preparing, and five hundred of these dollars are going to come 
from right here in the city of Sioux Falls. Only think of the 
bread and sugar and potatoes that will buy ! And if every city in 
the Union gives one thousand dollars, how many more potatoes 
and sacks of sugar that means! 

"You can't send too many gifts to the Christmas Ship, for 
there will be thousands upon thousands of little bodies to cover, 
thousands upon thousands of stomachs to fill, thousands upon 
thousands of little minds to divert from the booming of the 
death guns." 

Here is an editorial from the Sioux Falls Press: 
"The appointment of a United States navy vessel to carry 
abroad the Christmas gifts the children of America will send to 
the children of Europe was one of the things needed to be done to 
complete the prestige of the movement as a national undertaking. 
Nearly two hundred newspapers in the United States are lending 
their active support to the idea which originated in the fertile 
mind of Miss Lilian Bell of the Chicago Herald. These papers 
wired an appeal to President Wilson last week, urging him to give 
the children of America a ship to carry their presents to the 
sorrowing children of the Old World. Secretary of the Navy- 
Daniels, with the approval of the president, has given the promise 
of the navy department that this will be done. 

"Thus has a movement, begun by one newspaper, joined by 
others, and now spread among the churches, fraternal organiza- 
tions, and societies, become a national institution. We will 
dispatch a war vessel to enter harbors patroled by other war 
vessels; but ours will bear on one mast the Stars and Stripes, 
and on the other the white flag bearing the golden star and the 
word 'Inasmuch.' The holds and magazines of the ships across 
the sea will be packed with shells and powder; the holds of our 
ship will be laden with gifts for children who otherwise would 
have no cheer on Christmas Day. The ships that are stripped 
for battle and charged with death will respectfully salute the ship 
that flies the ensign of peace and good will, and is charged with 
good Christmas cheer. 



204 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"As one of the newspapers of the United States interested 
in the work, the Press, on behalf of the children of South Dakota, 
desires to thank President Wilson and Secretary Daniels for their 
decision to place a vessel from the nation's fleet at the disposal 
of the children of America. Now let South Dakota work 
diligently to fill the ship thus commissioned to aid this great 
undertaking." 

And work she did, with all the energy and generosity of the 
West with its inheritance of enthusiasm! Read what Florence 
Fox says : 

"Did you read in the papers yesterday morning about the 
splendid Christmas Ship contribution that came in the night 
before — a gift from the Greek colony here? Seventy dollars 
from the men who have come from the heart of Europe recently 
enough not to have forgotten the awful horror of war ! You and 
I here in this blessed land of peace cannot even imagine to 
ourselves the desolation that this maddest of all the kings' 
diversions leaves in its wake. 'But war's a game, which, were 
their subjects wise, kings would not play at.' 

"Now here is what we bought with that seventy dollars. 
First we went to the Peoples Department Store. I went up to the 
manager and told him who I was, and he said, 'Go right through 
the store and pick out what you want and I '11 give you a liberal 
discount on the amount purchased.' 

"Next we went to Delaney and Berdahl's clothing store, and 
Mr. Berdahl told us we could have at cost everything we bought. 
Was n't that better yet ? I love anything to keep getting better 
instead of worse, don't you ? You should have seen the mammoth 
bundle that came up from there! 

"With $5.72, F. H. Weatherwax and Company were asked 
to make the best offer they could, and for that amount the clerk 
wrapped up thirteen caps with warm earlaps for small boys, and 
eight pairs of flannel pajamas. 

"With the last purchase made we filled one large packing 
box, and at four o'clock had it ready for the drayman. 

' ' Now this is the way our last box is going. Mr. A. F. Pilcher, 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 205 

the passenger agent for the Rock Island Railroad, induced his 
company to suspend one of the most stringent rules, and the box 
of good cheer was sent on its way as baggage. The only thing 
exacted by Mr. Pilcher was that handles should be placed on 
the box, and Adolph Ziska, a native of Austria, volunteered to do 
the work. The thought of the many children who would be 
made happy brought cherished memories to Mr. Ziska's mind, 
and more than one tear fell on the box as he worked. 

"Over two hundred dollars have been spent, and for this 
two hundred dollars, thanks to the generosity of Sioux Falls' 
merchants, about four hundred dollars ' worth of presents have 
been bought." 

That is what I enjoy — hearing just what was bought with the 
seventy dollars those Greeks sent. And when little nickels came, 
wrapped in paper, or a dozen pennies in a tiny box, I used to 
wonder if any present could be purchased precious enough to 
use that money for. It seemed consecrated to me. Evidently 
Miss Fox shared my sentiments, for she writes this: 

"Now those of you who sent money to be spent are eager to 
know how it went, and here's the tale. Early in the morning 
I went downtown and started in buying at Fantle Brothers. 
I told Mr. Gill, the manager, that I was buying your presents 
and mine for the Christmas Ship, and he said he thought we 
ought to have a discount on all we bought so that they could have 
a share in the giving also, and the upshot of the matter was that 
they gave me a twenty-per-cent discount on all I bought there. 
Now don't you think that was splendid? There I got sweaters 
and stocking caps and mittens — oh, such warm looking ones! — ■ 
and nice comfy looking woolen shirts for boys, and between 
two and three dozen sets of fleece-lined winter underclothing 
that will make the eyes of each little Russian or Belgian or 
German, or whoever gets any of them, shine. 

"Then I went down to the Leader Department Store, and as 
soon as I told them who I was, I was given the twenty-per-cent 
discount on everything I bought just as I had been at Fantles'. 



206 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"From the Leader Department Store I went to Shriver and 
Johnson's and started in at the cloak department. There I 
purchased four lovely warm coats, and then I bought more 
underclothing, suitable for very small youngsters this time. 
The floor walker escorted me downstairs and explained to 
Mr. Johnson the purpose for which I was buying, and he told 
the clerk to give me twenty-per-cent discount on everything she 
sold me. 

"Well, right after lunch I came down to the Press and started 
doing up bundles, but more money came in, and they kept 
saying to me, 'You will have to quit wrapping and go shopping 
again' ; and then up from downstairs, where they were packing the 
boxes, would come a call for more packages, so I 'd have to stay 
on and keep wrapping bundles. Then after a while there got to 
be such a rush that the night editor and one of the men from the 
business ofBce, and finally the society editor and all, were busy 
wrapping bundles, and even then we could n't get through fast 
enough. The managing editor was piling the packages in the 
boxes as fast as we could shoot them downstairs, and every 
little bit he 'd get caught up and he 'd rush upstairs and tell us 
to hurry. And hurry we did ! At last all the gifts were packed, 
and it remained to go out and buy what we could with the money 
we had. So the advertising manager took the $27.75 that came 
in from the high schools and went to the F. H. Weatherwax 
clothing house, and this is what he got for the amount, due to the 
kindness of this and two other stores, the T. J. Fosdick and Sons 
clothing house and the E. C. Olson clothing house: Four dozen 
pairs of hose for boys of twelve years and under, seven over- 
coats, six sweaters, and fourteen fleece-lined union suits. 
Ordinarily this purchase would amount to fifty-two dollars, so 
you can see for yourself how much these clothing stores helped 
the Christmas Ship. 

"I was too busy to go over to the station to see the boxes 
loaded on the trains. But the managing editor and the night 
editor borrowed the publisher's automobile and hustled over to 
see that everything went smoothly. They told me there was no 
need, however, of their being there, because Mr. J. A. Hurley, the 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 207 

agent of the Illinois Central, was simply fine and personally 
looked after the great big boxes his generous railroad company is 
carrying free. 

"These boxes were profusely covered with gay yellow labels 
proclaiming that they were for the Christmas Ship, Pugh 
Terminal, Chicago, Illinois. The labels were given us by the 
H. C. Sessions Printing Co." 

I have had to write several times to Mr. Dotson, in reference 
to the file he so obligingly sent me. In everything I have found 
him most courteous, and he believes that the interest of the 
American people in the Christmas Ship will never die out. 

He says he wishes the opportunity to help distribute The 
Story of the Christmas Ship. 

He shall have it! 



CHAPTER XXIII 

Contains a Little of Everything, and Then Some 

BISHOP FALLOWS, noted for his deep insight into motives 
and his lofty point of view, wrote as a foreword to T. H. 
Russel's book on the war a notable tribute to the Christmas 
Ship. This is what the Chicago Herald said about it : 

"The following tribute to the Christmas Ship appeared in 
the introduction which the Right Reverend Bishop Samuel 
Fallows wrote for The Great War in Europe, by Thomas H. 
Russel, just published by L. W. Walter & Co. 

" 'One of the most gladdening and practical conceptions for 
the happiness of the children who are suffering from the great 
European war now raging is the Christmas Ship to sail from our 
loved America to the land beyond the sea. 

" 'The movement began as a purely local one in the city of 
Chicago. It has now become national and international in its 
scope. It has not only been enthusiastically received by the 
pulpit and press throughout the land, and by various humani- 
tarian and benevolent organizations, representing all faiths and 
shades of opinion, but by other neutral nations besides our own. 

" 'The idea is an epoch-making one. It is fully carrying 
out the spirit of Him who cam.e as a little child among men, who 
took little children up in His arms and blessed them, whose 
advent in the world was heralded by the angelic choir and the 
song, "Peace on earth, good will to men." 

' ' ' Surely the angels will help convoy this vessel to its destina- 
tion! What untold expressions of gladness and thankfulness 
will rise from the hearts to the lips of the saddened ones who 
shall receive the benefactions! 

" 'Rainbows of hope and trust shall gleam from the tears of 
the widows, and heaven itself shall be reflected in the sparkle 
and glow of children's eyes. 

208 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 209 

" 'Fill the vessel then with the timely gifts! With them 
send the fervent prayer for peace, founded upon righteousness.' " 

Indeed, never have I heard of any one philanthropy which 
enlisted the good offices of so many different clergymen of various 
denominations. Race and creed were forgotten in the work 
for the Christmas Ship, and all united as brethren, bound together 
by the gentle magic of the word, "Inasmuch." 

If Christendom could work in all things as it has done for 
the Christmas Ship, we should have the millennium! 

" 'A little child shall lead them!' Christian churches and 
Christian men should cooperate to the fullest extent of their 
abilities in making the Christmas Ship a messenger such as Europe 
will never forget." This is the keynote of a statement made by 
the Right Reverend Walter T. Sumner, Dean of the Cathedral 
of SS. Peter and Paul of the Protestant Episcopal Church. 

"The idea of human brotherhood and Christian service finds 
beautiful expression in this ship which is to carry Christmas 
happiness from the children of one nation to the children of 
another nation," he said. "It is an opportunity which America 
cannot afford to overlook. For there is in it a moral cement, 
which is bound to bind the American nation into closer bonds of 
sympathy and understanding with the nations across the sea. 

"The dream of universal peace seems farther from actual 
realization than it ever did before in the present almost world- 
wide war. Yet it is a dream which some day will come true. 
And no movement in modern times has been better calculated 
to hasten that day than has this idea of the Christmas Ship. 
To me it seems a great beneficent Providence stretching out its 
hands across the sea to relieve the sufferings, bind the wounds, 
and minister to the hunger of a struggling, unhappy people. 

"However, the supreme beauty of the proposition lies in this 
— that it is being done in the name of little children — the 
children of America. What a beautiful and fraternal conception 
those words will come to have to those who were helped when 
help was most needed! 

"Churches and religious organizations of all kinds should 



210 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

throw the full force of their influence behind the Christmas Ship, 
for it is the material embodiment of the ideals upon which 
churches and Christians stand. 

"Human brotherhood — the love of man for man, the love 
which knows no bounds of race, religion, nation, or creed — 
what more beautiful expression than this could there be in a 
time of cataclysmic war! 

"There is another phase to the project which should appeal 
to the parents, teachers, and ministers — to every one who has 
the interest of the American children at heart. It is this — 
that in working for the Christmas Ship American children will be 
putting into practice the ideals of selfless human service and 
sacrifice to which Christ gave His life nineteen centuries ago." 

The Episcopal Church was well represented in work for the 
Christmxas Ship. The St. Andrew's Messenger, a monthly maga- 
zine published by St. Andrew's Episcopal Church and edited 
by the rector. Reverend Frank E. Wilson, published the following 
plea for the Christmas Ship: 

"The Chicago Herald is sponsor for a plan which offers an 
excellent opportunity for expressing the Christmas spirit in a 
way that will appeal to all and will fill a most pathetic need. 

"What better evidence could we give that the love and good 
will of our blessed Lord are true realities to us than that of 
sending some few remembrances to these children across the 
sea in the name of Him who is the friend of all the children?" 

Then the Standard, the Baptist weekly, came out with this: 
"Many of our American newspapers, under the leadership 
of the Chicago Herald, are cooperating in a plan whereby the 
children of America shall present Christmas gifts to children of 
war sufferers throughout Europe. It has been arranged that a 
special ship, flying the Stars and Stripes and underneath it a 
white flag bearing the w^ord ' Inasmuch,' shall convey these 
presents to some neutral portion of the continent. The State 
Department is said to have made inquiries from the ambassadors 
of the warring nations and found that this will be welcomed by 
the powers." 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 211 

Many were the prayers offered for the success of the work, 
and on October 19 the following was flashed by telegraph to 
each of the two hundred newspapers cooperating: 

"This prayer for the Christmas Ship was said in the House 
of Representatives to-day by its blind chaplain, the Reverend 
Henry N. Couden. 

" 'Our Father in Heaven, we thank Thee that out of the 
untold misery entailed upon the innocent men, women, and 
children of the war zone the Christ spirit is working in the hearts 
of the people to lessen the misery by deeds of generosity and 
kindness. 

' ' * That the spirit has found its way into the hearts of the 
people, who are busy preparing for the Christmas Ship every- 
thing that will tend to bring comfort and pleasure to their little 
brothers and sisters who have been bereft of father, brother, and 
even their homes, we thank Thee. 

' ' ' Encourage, we pray Thee, the work of the Good Samaritan, 
that not only the suffering may be alleviated but that our hearts 
may be filled with brotherly love, that the Christ spirit may do 
its perfect work and thus increase the desire for everlasting peace 
in the hearts of all men, that Thy will may be done. For Thine 
is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.'" 

The foreign newspapers, that is to say, the newspapers 
printed in other languages, were extremely cordial in approving 
the Christmas Ship plan. 

In every case they carried news of the work and commented 
editorially. Here are some expressions of opinions by the editors : 

Paul F. Mueller, publisher and editor-in-chief of the Abendpost, 
wrote: "I most certainly approve of the plan of sending a 
Christmas Ship to the children of Europe, and the spirit in which 
the Chicago Herald has organized the movement. I do not see 
how it will fail to be approved by every one." 

This is what John R. Palandech, editor of the United Servian, 
the Servian Courier, and the Balkan World, had to say : "I think 
the Christmas Ship movement started by the Herald is the great- 
est thing a newspaper has ever organized. It is sure to meet 



212 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

with tremendous and immediate response on the part of the chil- 
dren of America. I intend to cooperate in every way I can, and 
will use Miss Bell's appeal in full in all of my newspapers." 

Karl Eitel, chairman of the financial committee of the German 
and Austro-Hungarian Relief Association, said: "It is a splen- 
did idea, which appeals to everybody. It will be an education 
to the American children. It will foster good will throughout the 
world, and be appreciated across the sea." 

John Benson, chief editor of the Scandinavian, had this to say : 
"The idea is excellent and will undoubtedly win the cooperation 
of the children of America. The presents will long be cherished 
by the children abroad as an expression of sympathy and good 
will from the children of America." 

Andrew Tosst, editor-in-chief of the Svenska Tribunen, com- 
mended the plan: "A beautiful and noble idea. I am in full 
accord with the plan. I am certain that the Swedish children 
in America will help to make the Christmas Ship a success. The 
plan will have universal appeal." 

Antonio Parisi, managing editor of II Movimento, said: "It 
is an excellent and original plan. We indorse the project and 
will do all we can to further it. We think it is one of the best 
things any newspaper has done at the present time. I hope 
that the other Chicago papers will assist." 

Joseph Jesian, war editor of Dziennik Norodowy (National 
Polish Daily) , was strong in his approval : "I believe the move- 
ment started by the Herald is the most timely and worthy of any 
originated by any newspaper with regard to the war. Among 
the children of Poland are many orphans, for whom the loving 
hearts of their little brethren on this side of the water will be glad 
to make any sacrifice. We appreciate what the Herald is doing, 
and congratulate Miss Bell on the idea. We will do whatever 
we can to support it, and will make an appeal to the Polish 
children of Chicago to do likewise." 

A striking expression of the Herald's Christmas Ship idea is 
the following from the pen of Harry A. Lipsky, editor of the 
Jewish Courier and a member of the Board of Education. 
Mr. Lipsky writes to the Christmas Ship editor: 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 213 

"Your appeal, as broad as humanity itself, will be answered 
by all who have hearts that feel and minds that understand. 
Jew, Gentile, agnostic, or infidel — who will say nay to your plea 
for the children of war-harassed Europe? Each will answer in 
his own way, and for a different reason — yet each will respond. 

"The Jew will send gifts because his people are scattered all 
over the entire continent, battling in every army and dying for 
every flag. The nation without a country, fighting for many 
fatherlands, will have its widows and orphans to provide for in 
every corner of Europe. They will answer your appeal because 
the 'Feast of Lights' occurs about Christmas time and is itself 
a time of giving gifts, and thus the Jewish religious sanction will 
lend itself to your more general plea. 

"A cheerless Chanukah it will be indeed to the millions of 
Jews in Europe. Not merely the gifts to children to make a 
holiday cheerful will be our task; that will be but the beginning 
of our work. Hundreds, aye thousands, will need aid that the 
widow and the orphan, the aged and the infirm, the wounded 
and the crippled, may not suffer. 

"Your plan will be successful, for its basis is humanitarian, 
and because it is so broad, see to it that all who wish to send cheer 
abroad may do so not because of any sectarian appeal that may 
be made, but because the request comes in the name of a humanity 
which is larger than all the sects and all the faiths that mankind 
has evolved for itself. In such circumstances it seems that 
such a plan as that of the Christmas Ship surely must have 
divine inspiration. God grant that never again shall there be a 
need for another Christmas Ship. But if such a time does 
come, grant that there will be men and newspapers like those 
led by the Chicago Herald who shall be able to inspire a whole 
continent to an expression of brotherly love and compassion." 

The Elks were particularly generous, as they always have the 
reputation of being. Chicago Lodge No. 4 of the B.P.O.E. 
voted one hundred dollars out of the general fund to be used with 
individual Christmas Ship contributions of members. 

"As I predicted, the Elks are responding to the call from the 



214 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

children of Europe," said Exalted Ruler A. W. Johnson. "The 
lodge has selected a live-wire committee that will not overlook 
a single detail in making the contribution of the Chicago 
B.P.O.E. significant of the spirit which ever governs the 
actions of all true Elks." 

"A circular letter detailing our plan has been sent to every 
member of the lodge," said Mr. Cohn, chairman of the committee. 
"It is proposed to use all money received in purchasing outing 
flannels, buttons, thread, and braid to be apportioned in packages 
to make undergarments for a mother and four children." 

"Lodge No. 250 B.P.O.E., Manistee, Michigan, is among 
the lodges that have sent contributions to the Christmas Ship. 
Six cases of drygoods of various kinds have been forwarded to 
the Pugh Terminal, in the name of Charles J. Doval, chairman 
of the Christmas Ship committee of the Manistee lodge. Many 
Elks are giving money, and will do so until next Monday, 
when the entire amount will be sent to the Christmas Ship." 

About this time I wrote the following in the Herald: 

Here is the first of the human documents I knew would 

come in. This is a sort of thing those who go over with the 

Christmas Ship will bring back with them. 

What stories they will have to tell us! 

Dtnard, France 

"As an American woman who has spent nine happy summers 
with many other compatriots in this beautiful corner of France, 
I feel that we all owe it a debt in this hour of adversity. 

"Day after day I see hundreds of refugees pour in from 
Belgium and France, starving, ragged, despairing, from scenes 
of carnage and murder, bereft of homes, relatives, and resources. 
They are largely peasants, but many from Lou vain and Charleroi 
are cultivated, finely bred men and women and children of all 
ages. They are thrown like bits of wreckage by the ^torm 
raging over Europe up to this isolated comer of Brittany, where 
even the rich find money scarce, and where, in a few weeks, coal 
and wood will be scarce also. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 215 

"We Americans and English, having laid aside fine raiment 
and social pleasures, are at work at the once smart Hotel Royal, 
now a hospital for the wounded that arrive daily by the hundreds, 
two deep on straw. 

"These refugees are adrift, like leaves in a storm, shorn of 
everything that makes life possible. They sleep also on straw 
and in garages, cafes, and villas whose chatelaines succor them. 

"Last night, in the garage of the Grand Hotel, slept seven 
little girls, all under seven, whose ragged daintiness proved 
former love and luxury. They have lost all — parents and home 
— and do not even know the names of their villages. Their feet 
are bleeding from tramping the fields; their tear-stained faces 
pinched from starvation. 

"Four others, more fortunate, came seventy miles in a 
Belgian bread cart, pulled by a dog. 

"With our best efforts we cannot clothe the hundreds who 
increase in number daily. Troops at the front send for food. 
Our horses and motors have been requisitioned by the army, and 
this formerly bright little town of luxury and gayety is now just 
a shelter for the hunted at bay against misfortune. What will 
become of them? 

"I beg of you in happy, safe America to deny yourselves a 
cigar, a theater seat, and an extra hat, and help us to help them. 

"Ten cents will buy a child ten rolls of bread. Fifty cents 
will cover little feet which never again will be caressed by a 
mother. A dollar will buy a shawl for a widow. 

"In the name of pity and human sympathy, I implore your 
aid, for America is the only place to which we can turn now. 

"Nina Larrey Duryea" 

Mrs. Martin Kerns, of Philo, Illinois, writes that she will go 
without one Christmas and send twenty-five dollars to Dinard 
direct, that members of her family will bring the sum up to 
forty dollars, and that she will adopt a Belgian orphan! And 
she asks others to do the same. 

There is still time for any one who is touched by this picture 
to send boxes of children's clothing direct to Dinard by the 



2i6 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

Christmas Ship. Also, any money intended for this specific 
town will go safely and speedily by the Christmas Ship. 

Who will help the brave American woman, Miss Nina Duryea, 
in her attempt to care for the babies and innocent sufferers 
whom she has under direct charge? 

In response to this appeal, I received, of course, many cheques 
and money orders, begging me to see that the money went to 
Miss Duryea. 

I held it until I managed a personal interview with the editor 
of the Herald. Then, to my great distress, he told me to turn it 
into the general Christmas Ship fund, as no money could be sent to 
any one direct. I failed to understand why, but I was obedient 
to his request and turned the money over to him personally. 

I take this opportunity to state to the donors why I was 
unable to carry out their requests. 

From far-away Honolulu, came the following: 

' ' Honolulu is taking a star part in the loading of the Christmas 
Ship. A telegram received from the Honolulu Advertiser reads: 
'Informed sailing date of Christmas Ship changed. May 
Honolulu consign through you?' 

' ' Many letters have been received from the Hawaiian capital 
giving details of the Christmas Ship work as it has been carried 
out in that city. The Women's Auxiliary and the Guild of 
St. Andrew's Cathedral are directing the work. 

"According to an editorial in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, a 
large cash fund already has been collected and is being forwarded 
to the ship." 

My brother is stationed at Honolulu, but unless he learned it 
from some one besides myself, he never knew that I had anything 
to do with the Christmas Ship, which he undoubtedly helped, 
for I have been too busy to write. But I know that the army 
officers and their wives contributed. I may send him a copy of 
this book (if I ever finish it) and then he will know. 

It's nice to get news of the family — in one way or another! 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 217 

' ' Citizens of Evanston, led by Mayor Smart and City Comp- 
troller Leon J. Hamilton," wrote the Chicago Herald, "are 
preparing for a whirlwind finish in the Evanston Christmas Ship 
campaign. Comptroller Hamilton, who also is director of the 
Evanston Civic Association, will be in active charge of the work, 
assisted by members of the Evanston Commercial Association. 
Additional rooms have been obtained for use as receiving stations. 
These will be placed in charge of individuals authorized to 
receive donations of money as well as packages of gifts." 

And from Fond Du Lac came this: "Fond du Lac gave 
itself up to-day to the cause of humanity. It was the first of 
two days set aside for collecting and packing gifts for the Christ- 
mas Ship. The work was undertaken by the Priscilla Society of 
Plymouth Congregational Church, and the response to its call 
was generous. Merchants loaned delivery wagons as well as 
the services of employees for the collection. The large Sunday 
school room in the church was set aside as the Christmas Ship 
center. An hour after the collection was started, the room was 
full. Over the door of the church hung a Christmas Ship flag, 
bearing the golden star and the word 'Inasmuch.' 

"General stores gave boxes, wrapping paper, cord, and post 
cards bearing Christmas greetings. Officers of the O'Brien 
Dry Goods Company selected from their stock the contents 
of several boxes. This firm expected also to send a cash dona- 
tion of from fifty dollars to seventy -five dollars to the Christmas 
Ship fund being collected by the Commercial National Bank. 

"The packing of the gifts will continue to-morrow in relays. 
Men are working hourly shifts, assorting, marking, and pressing 
the gifts in order to make the boxes brimful." 

While from WoodhuU, Illinois, we had the following: 
"WoodhuU, Illinois, is working corporately and individually 
for the Christmas Ship. Under the leadership of the Reverend 
Lewis Charles Voss, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, the 
village is striving to make its share in the ship's cargo a large 
one. Members of the church and Sunday school have an- 
nounced a Christmas Ship social and entertainnent to be held 
on Hallowe'en. The proceeds will go to the ship." 

15 



2i8 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAvS SHIP 

And from Huron this : "One hundred and eighty dollars and 
fifty-four cents, a large box, and a barrel of clothing comprised 
the Christmas Ship donation of Huron, South Dakota. 'Huron 
is not a very large place — about seven thousand — but I think 
we do not lack enthusiasm for any good work,' wrote Mrs. C. 
F. Koepp. 'We all feel grateful to the Herald for having 
originated the big idea and for allowing us to share in the happi- 
ness the Christmas Ship will carry across the sea.' " 

Then this came from Aurora : ' ' Monday and Tuesday after- 
noons have been set aside in Aurora as Christmas Ship Movie 
Day. W. D, Biurford, manager of the Aurora Theater, will give 
the exhibitions and forward the receipts to the Christmas Ship 
department of the Herald: 

"The Woman's Club of Aurora has taken charge of the work 
preliminary to the movie program, and its efforts have been 
rewarded by a successful sale of tickets. The superintendent 
of public schools has indorsed the matinee as an ideal means 
to raise funds for the Christmas Ship and has arranged that 
every child shall have the opportunity to witness the film plays." 

To me it kept getting more and more wonderful. And I 
had to talk about it. So I wrote this in the Herald: 

Did you know that the idea of the Christmas Ship was 
only a month old? 

For a month-old baby it seems very lively. In fact, this 
is the only month-old baby I ever saw who could talk and 
walk and run the way this one can! I believe it flies. 

Perhaps that is because this baby idea of ours has such 
millions of nurses! All over the United States, from Maine to 
Texas and from Alaska to Florida, are boys and girls and men 
and women bouncing this baby idea on their knees and talk- 
ing to it, and bragging to the neighbors of how fast and strong 
it is growing, so why should n't it be the wonder it is ? 

Children always like to play nurse, and I never saw a little 
girl who did n 't love to play mother to a baby. To play Santa 
Claus to half a world is the best idea of all, and every child 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 219 

in the United States who knows about it has joined my Santa 
Claus Class and begun to work. 

It is inspiring to think about it. Just suppose we could 
take a census of the workers we have! Nearly two hundred 
of the biggest and best newspapers in the United States have 
opened their columns to a history of our daily progress and 
are cooperating with us in every way they can. 

How big-hearted of these editors! In fact, if you could 
read their telegrams and letters, actually begging us to let 
them get into oui Peace Trust on the ground floor, you would 
realize that the editor was submerged in the man — the man 
who would crowd war news from his best paying front page 
and give our Christmas Ship plan the place of honor. 

There is greatness for you! The hearts of these men behind 
the newspapers have been touched by a feeling of human sym- 
pathy with the army of weeping women and children — innocent 
victims of this horrible slaughter — and there is nothing for us 
to do but help them — help them in any way we can to get what 
will keep life in small, frail bodies during the bitter winter. 

There are young mothers with their first babies, ignorant 
of how to find work by which they may live. 

There are mothers with half a dozen small children, bereft 
of husband and father, left penniless and without a roof to 
shelter them. 

There are feeble old people, blind and helpless, giving their 
stalwart sons to be hewn down like so many strong young 
saplings. 

There are the sick, the bedridden, the crippled children — 
all of these, who once had men in the family to earn bread for 
them, now cast adrift — without the barest necessities of life. 

I met a young Russian girl on the train coming to Chicago. 
She had just come from Petrograd by way of Norway. 

Tears were in her eyes as she said: "Do all you can for 
them! Only God Himself knows the state of things over there 
and how the women and children are suffering!" 

Such hundreds of thousands there are for us to help, and 
they need so much! 



220 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

If we had three years in which to prepare instead of three 
months, we still would be rushed for time. Yet each day our 
army grows. Literally, millions of small fingers are flying in 
aid of our beautiful Christmas Ship. 

The stupendousness of what we have attempted sometimes 
appals me. It is only when I realize that we have all of 
America at our back that I am encouraged to know that, huge 
as the plan is, it will succeed. And we shall be ready on time. 

The London papers, in commenting on the idea, say that 
we Americans pride ourselves on being strictly business-like, 
but that we are also very sentimental! 

I will go further and declare that we are the most 
sentimental nation on earth. 

No wonder London says that nowhere in the world except 
in the United States could such an idea have spread so like 
wildfire and practically have circled the globe in a fortnight. 

It is because we of the Christmas Ship are on the King's 
business. No earthly potentate could have summoned such 
an army of workers in so short a time. 

Race and creed are welded in the one bond of the universal 
brotherhood of man, and the reason for this is twofold. First, 
because of the suffering of women and children to whom our 
gifts are going; second, because the work of alleviating this 
suffering has been intrusted to the children. Men and women, 
no matter how earnestly they might have striven or how noble 
their motives, could not have won the instantaneous attention 
of the whole civilized world as was done when word ran around 
the globe that this was to be the work of children for children. 

When the children called, the whoie world listened. 

Warring races, quarreling creeds, lifelong enemies, and bitter 
foes have dropped their weapons, laid a finger on the lip, and 
listened to the call of the children. 

Perhaps this is the beginning of the millennium of which 
Isaiah dreamed when he prophesied: 

"The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall 
lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the 
fatling together; and a little child shall lead them." 



CHAPTER XXIV 
What Brave Little Sheboygan Gave 

SHEBOYGAN, Wisconsin, conducted a very successful cam- 
paign for the Christmas Ship, and my articles frequently 
appeared in the columns of the Sheboygan Press. 

The Press did not appoint a Christmas Ship editor, but 
conducted the campaign editorially, as will be seen from the 
following : 

"From all over the country comes the news that governors, 
state and federal officials, public men, pastors, societies of men, 
and organizations of women are all in favor of the Christmas 
Ship. 

"Each day adds well-known names to the list of those who 
wish the Christmas Ship a heavy cargo, a quick passage, and 
a prompt bestowal of her stored-up happiness on the war-made 
orphans of Europe. Each day brings assurance that an appeal 
to the great heart of the American people is never made in 
vain — that it beats responsively to the claims of stricken 
childhood — that it has faith in what it feels. 

"The Christmas Ship's reception by people and press shows 
how ready Americans are to unite for a good cause — how 
quickly they embrace the opportunity to rise above the things 
that divide them and join forces on the clear high ground of 
humanity. 

"Nothing good is impossible— no injustice can be perma- 
nent — in a country where such things can happen." 

The people of Sheboygan rushed to the work with a will, as 
may be seen from the following from the Press : 

"That Sheboygan has never been backward in any worthy 
movement was never better exemplified than right now in the 
great movement for sending gifts to the orphans of Europe. 

221 



222 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

Up to this morning over fifty boxes and packages had been 
deHvered to the Jung Building, and it is safe to say that this is 
only a? start and that before eight o'clock, when the campaign 
closes, the number of gifts will run into the hundreds. In order 
to accommodate all of the people who have become interested, 
the Press has made arrangements with the Jung Carriage Com- 
pany whereby the doors will be kept open until eight o'clock this 
evening, and a man will be in charge there. All day Friday 
will be consumed in sorting out the various packages and putting 
them in boxes so that each country will receive the gifts without 
delay after the boat touches port. 

"Remember, gifts for the ship are Christmas gifts, so inclose 
a Christmas greeting. The little German or French or Belgian 
child will not be able to read your message without the aid of 
an interpreter, but these will be at hand, and, anyway, Christ- 
child or Madonna or Jolly Old Nick post cards are all in the 
same language. 

"Don't forget the little touches in this last day of hurry, 
but first of all, be sure to hurry!" 

Sheboygan surely has a right to be proud of the large amount 
her generous citizens contributed, and Mr. Broughton may be 
congratulated on the part he played. The Press was one of the 
first papers to come in. 

This editorial appeared the day before the Jason sailed: 

"Now on the eve of the departure of the Christmas Ship 
Jason, with more than seven million gifts for war-stricken 
Europe, the people of Sheboygan may well feel proud. They 
have played a part in that great undertaking. Fourteen boxes 
of gifts were shipped from this city, several from Plymouth and 
Sheboygan Falls, and, in one instance, that of the Sunday school 
of St. Peter's Episcopal Church of the Falls, the boys and girls 
contributed twenty dollars, dispensing with their Christmas 
tree this year in order to cheer the hearts of the unfortunates of 
Europe. 

"The Press first made the appeal in the summer months, 
and the people of Sheboygan rallied to the cause. The latter 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 223 

part of October the J. and W. Jung Co. donated their building 
on Pennsylvania Avenue for the collection of gifts, and the Press 
looked to it that the goods were packed and shipped, the Chicago 
& North Western making no charge for transporting the goods. 
All of those of Sheboygan and vicinity who aided in the move- 
ment will be happy in the thought that as the good ship Jason 
reaches the warring nations the little boys and girls comprising 
the Sunday school of St. Peter's Episcopal Church of Sheboygan 
Falls will gather, not to have a Christmas tree, but to spend an 
evening together, happy in the thought that they played a 
part in the great drama for Peace. On that occasion nothing 
would be more appropriate than a brief address on the accom- 
plishment of the Christmas Ship through the efforts of our people. 
But let us not forget the Christmas Ship. Let us each year do 
some similar service for humanity." 

Some day I am going to St. Peter's Episcopal Church in 
Sheboygan Falls and tell those children what I think of them! 



CHAPTER XXV 
Oklahoma's Sympathy Expressed 

WHEN I read the list of the papers cooperating with the 
Herald, I was interested to know how the citizens of Okla- 
homa would respond to our appeal, and how an Oklahoma 
editor would go to work. So it was with feelings of the liveliest 
interest that I sent for the files of the Muskogee Phoenix. 

I received a most courteous letter from its editor and a com- 
plete story of the work. It started with this stirring editorial 
addressed "To the Children": 

"You have heard of the Santa Claus Ship, haven't you; 
the big Christmas Ship that is going to carry gifts to the poor 
little children of Europe whose fathers have been killed in the 
war ? No one will be able to keep you from sending a gift to your 
little brothers and sisters, when you understand. 

"But listen, children. You want your gift to be a nice gift, 
a pretty one; you don't want to give little Hans or Jean or Alice 
something that you have tired of and do not longer wish. You 
want your present to mean something, to represent a sacrifice. 
Think how much happier it will make you on Christmas Day 
when you know that you — really you and not your papa or 
mamma — have made some other little boy or girl happy. There 
are many ways you can do this. If you are a little boy, tell your 
father you will carry in the wood for a week or a month, if you 
wish, if he will give you money with which to buy a little toy 
for your far-off brothers and sisters. Or, if you are a little 
girl, tell your mamma you will help her with the dishes or 
about the house if she will give you the money with which 
to do your share to load the Santa Claus Ship. Or, tell your 
papa and mamma that you want them to tell Santa Claus to 
send one of the presents to the orphans in Europe that Kris 
Kringle was going to bring to you. 

"That's what it means to 'give.' Ask your parents or your 

224 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 225 

teacher to tell you what the Bible means when it says, 'Inasmuch 
as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, 
ye have done it unto Me.' 

"The Phoenix is just acting as Santa Claus' agent in gathering 
the toys. The Phoenix will not take your money ; you must buy 
the toy yourself, then you will know just what share you are 
playing in spreading the blessed tidings of Christmas among the 
sorrowing children of Europe, and your happiness will be so much 
greater. For after all, the greatest joy of your giving will be 
yours. You must act quickly, and have your present in by 
Saturday." 

The next day came this: 

"A most interesting collection of gifts was received to-day 
from children of the Franklin School. A little wagon loaded to 
the brim with toys, books, and clothing and other useful presents 
was drawn up to the Phoenix doorway by two little boys, and the 
gifts were carried to the desk of the Christmas Ship editor. 

"The Christmas Ship plan was heartily indorsed at the 
Teacher-Patron Club meeting in the Irving School. Super- 
intendent Monroe urged the mothers to help their little ones 
contribute their share of the Muskogee quota. Principal 
Roy F. Hannum and Superintendent W. O. Stewart of the blind 
school both indorsed the plan in their talks at the meeting. 

"The Coweta B.Y.P.U. telephoned the Phoenix yesterday 
that that organization would prepare a big box of presents 
gathered from the people in Coweta and the members of the 
organization for the Santa Claus Ship. The president of the 
B.Y.P.U. said that the box would arrive here Monday. 

"A grocery store sent a hundred-pound box of candy to the 
Christmas Ship editor yesterday afternoon. A local wholesale 
grocery company promised to send another hundred-pound box 
to-day. Caps, sweaters, mittens, underwear, and hosiery were 
all included, and another great box from an anonymous source 
was delivered yesterday afternoon. 

"One good woman interested in the cause sent two large 
boxes of toys and other gifts to go to the Deutsch children. 



226 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"Money contributions continued coming in yesterday. In 
amounts ranging from twenty-five cents to five dollars grown-ups 
contributed to the fund. To-day some church woman interested 
in the Christmas Ship will be selected to buy useful presents with 
the money which is contributed." 

Not only Muskogee, but all the country round about became 
interested and sent boxes of gifts to the Phoenix office: 

"By mail, express, and messenger, Christmas gifts for the 
Santa Claus Ship came in thick and fast yesterday. All day 
long school children carried boxes of presents to the Christmas 
Ship editor. The room which the Phoenix has set aside to house 
the presents as they are brought in is rapidly being filled. 

"A notable addition to the list of gifts sent in yesterday was 
a three-hundred-pound box of toys and clothing from Eufaula. 
The box came in by express already packed for the Santa Claus 
journey. "The constant addition of smaller gifts made the pile 
grow rapidly. Muskogee women doing their afternoon shopping 
bought small gifts for the Christmas Ship on their shopping tour. 
Children on their weekly school vacation trooped to the Phoenix 
office in flocks to bring their gifts. 

"From Stigler comes a contribution from the Fortnightly 
Club with an appreciative letter of the work of giving the children 
in Europe a happy Christmas. 

"'Dear Christmas Ship editor,' reads a letter, 'it gives me 
great pleasure to contribute in the name of the Fortnightly 
Club of Stigler to the Christmas fund in which you are taking 
such a vital interest. With this small contribution go the 
hopes and prayers of the club that the war clouds will have 
risen and that the Jason may unload its gifts upon a continent 
of peace.' 

"To-day the Christmas Ship spirit will be spread from the 
pulpits in Muskogee. 'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one 
of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto Me,' 
the motto adopted by those in charge of the Christmas Ship 
work in Chicago, is the text which has been suggested to every 
pastor in the city." 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 227 

Such stories as these need no comment from me or any- 
one else. They speak for themselves of a boundless gener- 
osity. Here is more from the Phoenix: 

"The school children responded yesterday in a way un- 
equaled last week. The teachers in the Sunday school classes 
told their boy and girl pupils of the Christmas Ship. Yesterday 
the results were shown by the number of presents which the 
children brought in. 

"From the pulpits of Muskogee on Sunday the story of 
the Christmas Ship was told. Every churchgoer was told the 
meaning of the Christmas Ship. Some ministers devoted their 
whole sermons to the topic, while others mentioned it only in 
their announcements. But in every church the pastors urged 
the children especially to help in making a Merry Christmas 
for their little friends across the sea. 

"The Musical Coterie of Stigler sent in a large box of gifts 
gathered from the members of that club. Accompanying the 
box came a letter to the Christmas Ship editor expressing the 
sentiment of the club in regard to the Santa Claus Ship: 

"'We have expressed you a box of toys to be sent to the 
children abroad. Trusting that they will lighten a few hearts 
and that they will reach their destination safely, 
"'Very respectfully, 

"'Stigler Musical Coterie' 

"Superintendent Monroe, in asking the teachers to mention 
the Christmas Ship to their classes, explained fully that the 
children were asked to bring new, useful things as presents, 
and that no cash donations will be received from school children. 

"Seventy-two pairs of children's stockings neatly packed in 
red boxes came to the Phoenix office by messenger yesterday 
afternoon, all labeled for the Christmas Ship, the gift of a well- 
known business man. Contributions from the grown-ups began 
to come to the Christmas Ship editor in five-dollar amounts. 
All such contributions received will be spent with Muskogee 
merchants to buy useful gifts to accompany the children's 
presents." 



228 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

Surely nothing that the express companies of America ever 
did gave them so much free advertising as their really hand- 
some offer to carry the Christmas Ship gifts free. 

Every paper heralded the fact, and gave them full credit 
for this generosity. 

I was particularly glad they did this, because, when I pre- 
dicted it to the editor of the Herald, he did not seem at all sure 
that they would. 

Here is what the Phoenix has to say about it: 

"The American Express Company, which won the gratitude 
of the Americans stranded abroad when war was declared by 
honoring and paying in cash all letters of credit, and which has 
aided materially in the transmission of Red Cross funds, again 
came to the rescue of the sufferers in Europe yesterday by 
volunteering to express, free of all charges, Christmas presents 
which the children and grown-ups of Muskogee and western 
Oklahoma have gathered for the little orphans of the war. 

"The pathetic cry of 'Inasmuch' has reached to the heart 
of Kentucky. Mrs. M. Howlett, of Stithton, Kentucky, who 
receives the Phoenix, sent her contribution to the Christmas 
Ship editor yesterday with this letter: 'I saw your call for 
the Christmas Ship for the children of Europe. I send my 
mite, and the good women of Muskogee can get whatever 
present they think suitable for the "kids." My son, who lives 
in your city, sends us the paper. I am seventy-three years 
old. I send one dollar.' 

"A collection of gifts from the Missionary Society of the 
First Baptist Church was received yesterday. The church 
women held a meeting Tuesday afternoon, when the gifts were 
collected and packed. 

"The school children of Fort Gibson took a very active 
part in collecting toys for the ship. A miscellaneous collection 
of toys, books, and dolls particularly was made at the Fort 
Gibson schoolhouse, and the packages sent to the Phoenix yes- 
terday. The little children in the second, fourth, and fifth grades 
were the ones who made contributions." 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 229 

The loyalty with which each town remembered its own 
merchants, and spent its contributions among the different 
shops, was one of the pleasantest things about the Christmas 
Ship work. But it is safe to say that from a commercial stand- 
point no merchant welcomed the Christmas Ship shopper, for 
not one of them could have made a cent on the purchases. 
Discounts were freely offered, many things sold at cost, and 
frequently a generous contribution from the merchant himself 
went into the parcels wrapped for the ship. 

All honor to these merchants, say I! 

A few more words from the Phcenix: 

"The most unique gift received so far at the Phoenix office 
was brought in yesterday by a Muskogee stenographer. In the 
top drawer of her desk the stenographer has always kept a glass 
jar. Into this jar she places all of her pennies received in making 
change, particularly in taking advantage of 'ninety-eight cent' 
bargains. Exactly 278 pennies were in the jar which the young 
woman brought to the Phoenix office. 

"A big collection of presents was received yesterday from 
Wagoner. The box bore the inscription 'From the Merchants of 
Wagoner.' A letter of explanation from Virginia White, solicitor, 
told that the merchants had each contributed to make up one 
big box. Half a carload resulted." 

This, then, is the way Oklahoma does things! 



CHAPTER XXVI 

The Beautiful Work of St. Louis 

ST. LOUIS responded through the Republic of that city, which 
on October 25 printed on its front page my appeal to the 
children of America. 

The editor gave the middle columns of his front page to this : 

"Active work to get presents for the Christmas Ship which 
will carry gifts to the war orphans of Europe was opened in St. 
Louis yesterday. Miss Frances D. Robb took charge of the 
Republic's downtown depot, under the direction of Mrs. F. H. 
Ingalls, head of the local W.C.T.U., which took active manage- 
ment of the movement under the auspices of the Republic. 

"From every source it was learned that gifts were being 
prepared. Mail from out of town indicated great interest. Ten 
letters were mailed yesterday instructing inquirers what to do to 
enable them to have a part in the nation-wide movement, which 
originated with Lilian Bell. The publisher of the Chicago Herald, 
on September 6, printed her famous appeal to the children. 

"Churches and Sunday schools of every affiliation will take 
up the movement to-day. A. C. Thomas, director of reHgious 
education of the Second Baptist Church said : 'We have a cheque 
ready for you, in addition to gifts for the children of Europe.' 
Reverend Z. B. T. Phillips, rector of St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 
declared the movement a fine one, and that he would bring it to 
the attention of his parishioners. Sunday school superintendents 
as well as pastors all over St. Louis will ask for gifts." 

The work went with a rush. St. Louis had a short campaign, 
but how efficacious it proved may be learned by the carload of 
gifts, valued at five thousand dollars, which it assembled in a 
few weeks. 

Everybody worked — even fathers! — and the result was told 
from day to day in the Republic: 

230 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 231 

The Vandalia Railroad yesterday announced it would trans- 
port the gifts of St. Louis, free of all charge, to Bush Terminal, 
Brooklyn, where they must arrive by November 3. Every 
child in St. Louis, and every grown person for that matter, is 
invited to use the service. 

"The Christmas Ship movement was originated September 6, 
when the Chicago Herald published Miss Lilian Bell's touching 
appeal 'To the Children of America,' which was republished by 
the Republic. It became necessary to get the Interstate Commerce 
Commission to make a favorable ruling before the railroads could 
transport, free, the gifts of American children to European war 
orphans. 

"St. Louis and Missourians, under the auspices of the 
Republic, yesterday afternoon shipped to Brooklyn a carload 
of five thousand dollars' worth of canned foods and fruits, boxes 
of new clothing, and barrels of candies and toys to be taken to 
children in the European war zone by the Christmas Ship. 

"The cash receipts yesterday amounted to $118.22, making 
the total cash receipts up to date $310.79. Money was used to 
purchase clothing and canned foods by teams of purchasers sent 
out under the personal direction of Mrs. Ingalls. 

"B. H. Dally, division freight agent of the Vandalia Line, 
was the hero of the day. He acted as trafHc manager for the 
committee, and personally checked off each of the boxes. 

"When the work was over, Mrs. Ingalls thanked the Republic 
in these words : As president of the Woman's Christian Temper- 
ance Union, I want to extend thanks to the St. Louis Republic for 
the great success of the Christmas Ship; to B. H. Dally, division 
freight agent of the Vandalia, for acting as traffic manager; to 
Holbrook-Blackwelder Real Estate Trust Company for donating 
headquarters; to the Missouri House and Window Cleaning 
Company for keeping headquarters tidy and clean; to the May- 
Stern Furniture Company for furnishing it ; to the Carleton Dry 
Goods Company for boxes; to the Banner Sign System for the 
sign; to the Dennison Manufacturing Company for papers; to 
J. C. Pringle and the Langan-Taylor Moving and Storage 
Company for packing the cases for shipment; to the Vandalia 



232 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

Line for transporting the cases to Brooklyn, and to each and 
every contributor who made the event possible; to the blessed 
W.C.T.U. women who are always glad to help make lives brighter 
and homes happier.'" 

Not satisfied with speeding its own car, the Republic helped 
the Austin car on its way. 

"A carload of Christmas gifts for the children of Europe was 
speeded on to Brooklyn yesterday by the Republic. It will 
be in timxC to become a part of the cargo of the naval collier Jason. 

"The car came to St. Louis over the Missouri, Kansas & 
Texas Railroad from Austin, Texas, where it had been assembled. 
The Republic was notified, and instantly got into touch with the 
complicated situation, and the Vandalia Line, as a result, is now 
speeding the carload on to Brooklyn. 

"A Republic reporter located the car in East St. Louis. 
As the ship sails next Tuesday it was a question if the car would 
reach Brooklyn in time to catch the Christmas Ship, to which 
St. Louis contributed a carload of toys, clothing, and canned 
goods last week. 

"The Republic telephoned B. H. Dally, division freight 
agent of the Vandalia, and Mr. Dally at once had the car green- 
tagged for export. Last night at eight o'clock it started with 
No. 2, the fastest freight train on the Vandalia Line. Mr. Dally 
said yesterday: 'Barring accidents, that carload will be at the 
ship's side Monday noon. We will keep behind it until it arrives 
at its destination.' 

* ' In the meantime the American Express Company had been 
notified, and Mr. Marston, the general agent, was getting ready 
to send half of the carload, dead head, over the express line, 
when it was learned that the car would be handled promptly 
by the Vandalia." 

Was n't this splendid work? 

"All contributions of toys, food, candies, and clothing 
intended for the Christmas Ship to Belgium must be at the 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 233 

headquarters before one o'clock to-day," said an editorial in 
the Republic. ** Money contributions can be received somewhat 
later, but the St. Louis consignment leaves this city for 
Brooklyn this afternoon. This is the last chance St. Louis people 
have to take part in a charity so full of meaning and so charged 
with human kindness that all of the railroads in the country 
and the government of the United States through the Navy 
Department are taking part. No country in the world to-day is 
so bitterly in need as Belgium, and no children are, or have been 
in generations, so cruelly cut off from childhood's right to happi- 
ness as the Belgian children. The Christmas Ship should bear a 
generous, an overflowing load of gifts from America to them." 

Nothing is more significant of the aristocratic St. Louisans 
than the quiet but effectual manner in which they handled their 
Christmas Ship campaign. They made little display and no 
noise, but a carload valued at five thousand dollars was the 
result of their generosity and earnestness. 

The work was beautifully managed, and carried out like a 
skilled general's campaign. 



16 



CHAPTER XXVII 
Battle Creek's Amazing Generosity 

BATTLE CREEK, Michigan, conducted a campaign for the 
Christmas Ship which deserves special mention. The 
Battle Creek Journal was one of the first to take up the idea, 
and its editor appointed a very clever young woman, Miss 
Lisetta Neukom, to be Christmas Ship editor. 

Every day valuable space in the Journal was given to pub- 
licity for the Christmas Ship, and to my request for data a most 
prompt and generous response was made. 

Miss Neukom even sent me two files — I having cheerfully 
lost the first one; I'll probably find it put away with my best 
hat or sealed up with my furs. When I hide a thing for safe 
keeping I certainly do hide it ! And from the way I hunted for 
that envelope of clippings. Battle Creek stands out in my mind 
as a city about the size of London and of the importance of 
Paris. But I got a second helping of that Christmas pie, and 
here it is. Heaven bless the girl for sending it to me, without a 
single reproach for my carelessness! 

"A whole shipload of dolls is what the children of the Battle 
Creek Sunday schools are planning to contribute to the Christmas 
Ship. 

"The doll ship will not sail. It will float in the air in the 
gymnasium at the Sanitarium. The dolls will hang on the ship, 
suspended from the rudder and the sails. They will fill the hold 
and the cabins; in fact, there are some optimistic people who are 
confident that the local children will give so many dolls that 
there will have to be an extra ship to hold the overflow. 

"The movement is being pushed by Mrs. Emily Walker- 
Herr, a social secretary of the Sanitarium, who has sent a letter 
to every Sunday school in the city asking that each class send 
one doll. She does not say what kind of doll, large or small, 
elaborate or simple. All she asks for is one doll from each Sunday 
school class in the city. 

234 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 235 

"The doll ship will sail through the air at one of the biggest 
functions ever held at the Sanitarium. Particulars of this affair 
are being kept carefully guarded, for a time at least. This is 
being done so that when the grand announcement comes, the 
people will have an interesting surprise. 

' ' The response on the part of the children of the First Metho- 
dist Sunday school will no doubt be an incentive to the others. 
The Methodist children have formed twenty-five clubs to secure 
funds and clothing for the Christmas Ship, which is backed 
locally by the Journal. 

"Still more good news for the Christmas Ship! 

"The Post Theater of Battle Creek is aiding in the movement, 
too. It has been suggested to Manager E. R. Smith that on 
November i the management give to the Christmas Ship twenty 
per cent of its gross receipts. Think of it! Twenty cents out 
of every dollar taken in at the box office!" 

I shall never taste squash again that I shall not think of the 
odd and interesting way Mr. Belden took to aid the Christmas 
Ship, as told in the Journal: 

"Mr. Belden had been reading of the Christmas Ship in the 
Journal. Immediately he thought of the squashes he had 
raised in the rows between the young fruit trees he is cultivating 
for pleasure. During the hours he is not writing he works out 
of doors among the fruits and vegetables. 

"As soon as he thought of the plan of selling those squashes 
for the Christmas fund, Mr. Belden came to the office and said, 
'I have about a ton of squashes which I will gladly give you for 
the Christmas fund. I will give the squashes, and I am sure 
that some of the grocers in the city will be willing to sell them and 
turn over the proceeds to you to send to Europe.' That was 
several days ago. Last night Mr. Belden returned to the office 
to say that the grocers were cooperating with him, and that 
W. E. Woods of Washington Heights had agreed to haul the 
entire ton to the city to the four stores as his share of the present 
to the Christmas Ship. 

"These squashes will be picked just before the first real frost. 



236 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

Mr. Belden suggests that all who want perfect, fresh Hubbard 
squash notify one of the four grocers to deliver them as soon 
as they arrive. He says he knows that squash is bringing only 
two cents a pound, but that he believes many who want to give 
to the Christmas Ship will say, 'Please send me five pounds of 
the squash and charge me five or ten cents a pound, for I want to 
help with the Christmas fund.' 

"Mr. Belden is so optimistic over the attitude of the people 
of the dty that he says he thinks the fund ought to be increased 
about one hundred dollars by the 'squash fund'!" 

The churches responded wonderfully: 

"Twenty-five Christmas Ship clubs were formed by the 
unanimous vote of six hundred representatives of the First 
Methodist Episcopal Sunday school yesterday morning. This 
means that hundreds of homes will cooperate to make the offer- 
ing sent the Christmas Ship, through the agency of the Journal 
and nearly two hundred other American newspapers, a wonderful 
success." 

As it is always interesting to know what those think whose 
war orphans are to receive our gifts, this from the Battle Creek 
Journal is appended: 

" *I think it is perfectly ripping of the Americans to send 
us a Christmas Ship. It is a grand idea, and I tell you the women 
and children of Europe will appreciate the spirit of the thoughtful 
people who send things for us.' 

"Such is the message which Miss Dorothy Pearce Gould, a 
young Englishwoman, sends from England to Reverend George 
E. Barnes, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. Miss Gould 
is enthusiastic about the Christmas Ship idea and writes in 
glowing terms of the spirit that prompts Americans to send aid 
to the unhappy women and children of the war-infested con- 
tinent. All Miss Gould's brothers and her father are now in the 
English army, fighting for their country." 

Not content simply with indorsing the idea, one very 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 237 

energetic and capable clergyman, Dr. Barnes, did a practical 
thing which brought in much money, as told in the Journal: 

"The 'widow's mite' for the Christmas Ship is to have its 
inning here Sunday. At that time all who want to help out 
on the fund, but who have been hesitant because of inability 
to give large amounts, will have an opportunity to give what 
they are able. 

"In each of the Protestant churches small envelopes will 
be passed, into which one can put his contribution, large or 
small. Nobody will know where the gift comes from, unless 
the giver desires it. Any amount, from a penny up, will be 
welcomed. In this case it is not the amoimt given but the 
spirit with which it is given which cotmts. As demonstrated 
by Lowell in his Vision of Sir Launfal, it is the one that gives 
all he can, with a loving spirit, who will get the blessing, not 
the rich giver, who carelessly tosses out a large amount from 
his store. 

"The Reverend George E. Barnes of the First Presbyterian 
Church, one of the most progressive ministers who ever lived 
in Battle Creek, is sponsor for this idea. He proposed it to 
the Journal, and the paper in turn put it up to some of the 
other churches. As a result all have taken hold of it. 

"The following churches will distribute envelopes: 

First Presb3rterian, Rev. George E. Barnes, pastor 

First Baptist, Rev. Robert L. Webb, pastor 

First Methodist, Rev. F. S. Tincher, pastor 

Maple Street Methodist, Rev. William Chapman, pastor 

Upton Avenue Methodist, Rev. Charles Nease, pastor 

St. Thomas Episcopal, Rev. Walter J. Lockton, rector 

Independent Congregational, Rev. Thornton A. Mills, minister 

Seventh Day Adventist, Elder W. A. Westworth, pastor 

"In addition to this the girls of the Baptist Church gave 
ten dollars from their play. 

"Not to be outdone by the Baptists, the Sanitarium girls 
and boys made a quilt — such a quilt as never was made before, 
as this story tells: 

" 'Real practical Christianity and sacrifice, as well as a great 



238 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

deal of love, will be carried to war-stricken Europe in the quilt 
which the boys and girls of the dining-room force of the 
Sanitarium have made to give to the Journal for the Christmas 
Ship.' 

"When one takes into consideration the fact that nearly 
all the young people working in the dining room are rushed 
almost to the limit of human endurance taking their regular 
college courses, working their way through college, and studying, 
their sacrifice puts to shame those who have done nothing to 
help the sufferers abroad. 

"The quilt story is one of near pathos. The idea was 
started by Mrs. A. Canfield and Mrs. Sallie Montgomery, both 
greatly beloved women at the Sanitarium. They read of the 
Christmas Ship project. The young people, when told of the 
movement, became deeply interested and volunteered their 
services. 

"Accordingly, a collection was taken and the materials 
purchased. The quilt was kept in a room adjoining the dining 
room. Boys and girls ahke devoted their spare moments, 
between serving breakfast and going to class, between their 
last class in the morning and serving dinner at noon, and between 
classes and lectures and dinner at night, to the quilt. Many 
of them were unable to work more than ten minutes at one 
time, but the cooperation and love put into those stitches and 
tyings on that quilt will mean much to them in after years, 
for they know what it all meant to them in sacrifice. 

"Although the young people have been working every 
spare moment for days, they were unable to get the quilt done 
by noon to-day. When they heard that the last things would 
have to be sent by this noon they were greatly disappointed, 
thinking their work had been in vain. Nothing daunted, they 
decided they would take a collection and get blankets from one 
of the stores and send them. But they were much gratified 
to find that through the courtesy of the Adams Express 
Company, which has volunteered its services gratis, the gifts 
to the Christmas Ship can be received as late as next Satur- 
day noon." 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 239 

Finally all the great work was done, the boxes packed, 
tagged, and shipped. And thus the big campaign was summed 
up in the Journal: 

"Pathos such as brings tears to the eyes and a lump to 
the throat have featured many of the gifts to the Christmas 
Ship. When little children come to give all the pennies of 
their small store; when old gray-haired men come with warm 
clothing; when the youth and the maiden with the soft glow 
of love in their eyes stop in the preparation for their coming 
wedding long enough to contribute, then men and women 
working for the Christmas Ship project believe, and believe 
fervently, that Christianity has not failed in at least some 
instances. 

"People must not get the idea that all the goods sent on 
this car to-day were bought. Nearly one thousand garments, 
in addition to many dolls and other toys, were contributed by 
private individuals. It is estimated that the carload sent out 
to-day is valued at over three thousand five hundred dollars. 

"The appended is the list of foodstuffs and merchandise 
purchased by the committee appointed to spend the money 
collected by the Journal for the Christmas Ship fund with 
the $361.47 given them to invest, the committeemen secured 
merchandise inventoried at $2,153. The immense quantity of 
garments contributed by individuals is not included in the 
following list: 

300 pounds of Binders' choice sugar-cured bacon 
1,000 pounds of hand-picked navy beans 
700 suits of women's and children's knit winter underwear 
486 pairs of women's and children's stockings 
283 women's and children's coats 
270 pairs of boys' and girls' wool gloves and mittens 
150 pairs of boys' heavy winter trousers 

60 women's house dresses 

54 boys' and girls' cloth and knit winter caps 

65 women's and children's wool knit sweaters 

10 women's wool skirts 

10 women's heavy suits 
135 yards of flannel for making clothing 



240 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

49 women's and children's outing flannel gowns 

88 men's and boy's shirts 

25 youths' and boys' overcoats 

23 women's knit shawls 

8 girls' winter dresses 

29 boys' heavy winter suits 

"One boy who deserves special mention for his contribution 
is Raymond KJnight, who sells papers on the streets each night. 
He had no money to give. When told that a woman wanted to 
give some flour to the Christmas Ship, and that she had no way 
of getting it to the Journal office, he volunteered to get the flour 
and bring it downtown. 

"One of the biggest individual contributors was the Kellogg 
Toasted Corn Flakes Company, which gave five cases each of 
Toasted Wheat Biscuits, Drinket, and Krumbles. These will 
keep well on the ocean voyage, as they are all in 'waxtite' sealed 
packages and wrapped for exporting. 

"Without exaggeration, no town in the United States is 
giving more in proportion to its size than Battle Creek. Com- 
mittee members specially request that mention be made of the 
fact that L. R. Greusel, of the Central Electric Company, gave 
his time and his automobile to take the committee around the 
county to buy up one thousand pounds of new hand-picked navy 
beans. 

"Each box sent in the car to-day bears two tags prepared 
by the Journal, one addressing the package to the 'Christmas 
Ship,' and the other taking the Christmas greetings of local 
citizens to the sufferers abroad. 

"The Christmas card reads as follows : ' The contents of this 
package were contributed by the people of Battle Creek, Michi- 
gan, for the benefit of the needy, suffering, unhappy women and 
kiddies of war-scourged Europe, and with each gift of provisions, 
clothing, toys, or what not goes a Merry Christmas wish and 
"May God Protect You!"' 

"To the Journal: 

"Wonderful Battle Creek! 

"Again that true and wonderful spirit of liberality and good 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 241 

fellowship for which Battle Creek and its citizens are noted has 
been put to the test and found not wanting. 

"On the contrary, our citizens have done themselves proud. 
Merchandise to the value of thirty-five hundred dollars for the 
European war sufferers is on its way. This vast quantity of 
useful foodstuffs and substantial winter wearing apparel for 
women and children has been contributed by the citizens and 
merchants of Battle Creek. 

"Your paper turned over to this committee $361.47 in cash, 
which was spent at home with local merchants. We make the 
statement that in our opinion $361.47 never before bought so 
many useful articles, the actual fair estimate of the value of the 
goods purchased being $2,153. 

"For the great kindness and consideration shown this com- 
mittee by all those who were called upon, the members extend 
their thanks. 

"Committee work as a rule is a thankless job. In this case, 
however, our fellow citizens made the committee like the work. 
Hence the committee wishes to thank the Journal for the privilege 
of having served in this good cause. 

"J. C. TOELLER 

"R. J. Bolster 
"Fred C. Sterling 

"H. J. MULRINE 

"Christmas Ship Committee'' 
Such a showing as this is nothing short of wonderful! 



CHAPTER XXVIII 
What the State of Texas Did 

TEXAS has a heart as large as its area. No sooner had my 
appeal to the children of America been published by the 
Chicago Herald than it was responded to by Mr. A. P. Goodman, 
the circulation manager of the Houston Post, who wired the 
Christmas Ship editor offering to gather a quarter of a million 
bags of Texas peanuts and pecans to send as their contribution 
to the Christmas Ship. 

We gladly accepted his offer and then Colonel R. M. John- 
ston, the president, and Mr. G. J. Palmer, the vice-president, of 
the Post, made a personal appeal to all the other publishers in 
the state, to its important banks, and to every commercial body 
in Texas. 

The standing of the Houston Post among newspapers gave 
the enterprise dignity in the minds of the people, aside from the 
Christmas Ship appeal to their hearts. 

Then the idea was taken up with the other Texas editors, 
who joined in quickly and gladly. The Fort Worth Star-Telegram 
said of it: 

"The children of America are going to make a Christmas 
for the children of Europe. They are going to play Santa for 
the milhons who otherwise would know no Christmas. How? 
Why, that's easy. The children of America are going to send 
a Christmas Ship to Europe. They're going to send the little 
dolls that Santa Claus brought them last year, the little red 
wagons, and the toy dogs. They'll get bigger and better ones 
from Santa Claus this year, and these little toys will make the 
hearts of the httle children in Europe leap with joy. 

"Texas children are going to do their share. They are 
expected to supply a million quarter-pound packages of pecans 
and peanuts for the Christmas Ship. It sounds big, doesn't 
it — one million packages? But it isn't. It won't take long 
to get a milHon packages if every Httle boy and girl just stops 

242 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 243 

for a minute to think of the happiness that will come to him 
with Christmas, and of his little brothers and sisters across the 
water and the sorrow that will be theirs." 

The Waco Morning News is presided over by F. E. Burk- 
halter, and on the first page of that publication was this announce- 
ment of the fact that the News was in line: 

"We read much of the disruption of business, the financial 
strain, and other features of the European war, thinking little, 
perhaps, of the poverty and desolation that are being wrought 
in millions of homes and of the fact that the slaying of thousands 
of men will leave their wives back at home widows, and the 
children fatherless. 

"Christmas is coming on, and Miss Lilian Bell in the Chicago 
Herald has suggested that the people of the United States 
send a shipload of toys to Europe to be distributed in the 
homes of the children made fatherless by the war. President 
Wilson readily assented to the plan, and the federal govern- 
ment has agreed to contribute a transport to convey the presents 
across the ocean. 

"If you want really to enjoy the Christmas season yourself, 
lend a hand in making it happy for others. 

"The concentration stations throughout the state are as 
follows : 

Austin: Austin American 

Cuero: G. H. Harris, secretary, chamber of commerce 

Cleburne: The Enterprise 

Coleman: C. F. Sanders, commercial club 

Fort Worth: The Star-Telegram 

Houston: The Houston Post 

San Antonio: John B. Carrington, general secretary, 

chamber of commerce 
Waco: The Morning News" 

The Post then began to issue certificates, which proved of 
great interest throughout the state. 

They were prepared by Judd Mortimer Lewis, Post poet 
and children's friend, to be given each child or adult joining 
or contributing to a Christmas Ship club: 



244 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

RECEIVED 

For little ones in distant lands : 
A heart throb — reaching out of hands; 
A bending down to dry child eyes 
That would be tear-wet otherwise. 

A gift more rare — a gift more sweet 
Than can be shown in a receipt. 
Love, reaching past the fields of slain, 
To help to soothe a baby's pain. 

Every day the Post sent out its splendid appeal: 
"When this war is over the fathers who do come home will 
want to seek other homes where their babies when grown up 
will not be in danger of the peril that surrounds them now. 
The area of Texas is slightly larger than that of Germany. 
Germany's population is sixty-five million and that of Texas 
five million. Texas has room for a home for them all. The 
package of pecans or peanuts was suggested because it would 
enable every man, woman, and child in the state to participate 
in this wonderful philanthropy. Texans will have a Christmas 
of their own to look out for. The expense to each individual 
who participates in providing Texas' share of the Christmas 
Ship's cargo will be so small that no one will be excluded because 
of the cost of contribution. The opportunity is made to order 
for Texas. If you wanted to, you could not reach these people 
across the sea at this time except by the Christmas Ship. Just 
think what one million invitations to come to Texas will 
accomplish, wrapped into delightful Christmas packages." 

That real sacrifices were made for the Christmas Ship may 
be seen from the following in the Post: 

"The churches of Calvert will dispense with their annual 
Christmas trees and gifts for children this year, using the money 
usually appropriated for this purpose as a cash donation for 
the purchase of Christmas gifts for the children of war-stricken 
Europe. This movement, started by the Calvert Civic League 
through its officers, Mesdames Harry Field, E. J. McGuirk, and 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 245 

Robert Frazer, has met with a hearty response from churches 
and other organizations here, and it is thought several hundred 
dollars will be raised. 

"Though children of Calvert will miss their tree and little 
gifts this year, they will be happy in the knowledge that the 
pleasures they were to enjoy are being enjoyed by an equal 
number of little ones in far-off war-stricken Europe. 

"The little Sunday school children of Florentine, a Swedish 
settlement near Pasadena, have always looked forward to 
their birthdays as the biggest time of the year, because on 
that day they received many presents. This year they are 
going to be happier than ever because they are going to use 
their birthday money to give away some presents to a lot of 
other little children across the ocean. Sunday they voted 
that the contents of their birthday box, five dollars, should 
go to the Christmas Ship which will bring cheer to the kiddies 
whose daddies have gone to war. A letter from Otto Kruse, 
superintendent of the Florentine Sunday school, was received 
by the Post saying that the children had no pecans, but thought 
that the money would be useful. 

"One man at Bellaire wrote the Post that he will give his 
relatives no presents this Christmas, but instead will spend 
his Christmas present appropriation for the orphans in Europe. 
His letter follows: 

" 'Every cent I would spend on relatives and friends this 
Christmas will be spent on the children of war-stricken Europe. 
The packages will consist of mittens, stockings, canton flannels, 
stocking caps, and so on, and some nuts — whatever seems most 
useful. I will purchase and bring them to you ready for ship- 
ping whenever you are ready for them. My relatives and 
friends are not to spend any money on me this Christmas, but 
give it to the destitute European kiddies. 

" 'Please send me some Judd Lewis Christmas Ship certifi- 
cates. '"L. C" 

"Following are some of the most recently received descrip- 
tions of the work that is being done: 



246 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

" 'I think this is the greatest movement that was ever started. 
I am going to try to visit as many schools in the county as 
I possibly can and arouse interest in this great movement, and I 
ask you to send me a few of your Christmas Ship certificates 
in order that I may show them to the children. I hope to have 
all packages sent to the Enterprise here, and I will then forward 
them to the Houston Post Christmas Ship bureau. 

" 'With kindest personal regards, I am as ever, your friend, 
" 'W. L. West, Polk County Enterprise''' 

"The Fort Worth Star -Tele gram announces that when Dean 
Colby D. Hall at chapel requested every member of the Texas 
Christian University faculty and the student body who would 
help the movement to stand up, every man, woman, boy, and 
girl arose. The Star-Telegram says that practically every 
organization in the Texas Christian University has allied itself 
with the m-ovement. The men of the Young Men's Christian 
Association will furnish the nuts, and the girls will furnish the 
bags and pack them." 

The Star-Telegram addressed this appeal to the teachers of 
Texas : 

"Here is an opportunity to do good that will bring joy to 
your pupils and give them a character lesson as well. 

"What is the Christmas Ship? It is the shortened name for 
the great movement started by Lilian Bell, in the Chicago Herald, 
that has for its object a real Christmas for the million little boys 
and girls in Europe whose fathers have been taken from them to 
fight for what they know not, and whose homes have been made 
desolate by the horror that has swept the land. The children 
of America are behind the Christmas Ship movement. They're 
the ones who are going to make a real Christmas for their little 
brothers and sisters in the lands across the seas. That's what 
they are going to do. The movement is sweeping the country. 
Its success was assured from the start. 

"And here is where you can help, teacher! 

"Tell your children about the movement. Tell them about 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 247 

the hungry little children of Europe, whose fathers have been 
forced into war and who will know no Christmas unless the 
children of America make it. 

"You will be doing good, and the children, with the shaping 
of whose lives you are intrusted, will be learning one of the 
greatest of all lessons — real service." 

Next the Cleburne Enterprise sent the following to the Houston 
Post: 

"A gentleman whose philanthropy is as comprehensive as his 
heart is big, came in and asked the Cleburne Enterprise as a special 
favor to take up the charity of the Christmas Ship. He brought 
with him a clipping explanatory of this most excellent plan to 
bring Christmas happiness to the hearts of the little ones across 
the sea whose homes are unprotected and who will have but 
little of the joy of this season if we who are more fortunate do not 
come to their rescue. For this worthy purpose the true apostle 
of real benefit to humanity placed a five-dollar bill on the editor's 
desk. All day the plain, workaday office has been glorified 
and the 'petty cares which infest the day have folded their tents 
like the Arabs, and as silently stolen away.' What difference if 
the way seems hard ? What matter if it does take days of writing 
and hundreds of papers with pleas for some move of betterment ? 
A rift in the clouds brings fresh inspiration to the editor who is 
striving to hold tightly clasped high ideals and hope for higher 
things, all the while carrying the problems of a big responsibility 
and the details of getting out a daily paper which should carry 
every day, besides its quota of news, something which will tend 
toward the uplift of the readers. The five dollars which has 
already been speeded on its way to its destination has served a 
double purpose ; it will bless those for whom it is given and it has 
brightened and encouraged the one whose pleasure it was to look 
deep into the big-hearted, generous soul of a man who does his 
charity with a prayer, making the simple reservation that he 
may be imknown in giving. 

"There is goodness in the world, there is true charity. Who 
will be next?" 



248 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

Little did I think when I saw "Hanky Panky" in Chicago 
that the next time I heard of it would be in this connection. 

The Houston Post said: 

"The Post has made arrangements for an open-air concert 
to boost the movement to send a shipload of peanuts and pecans 
from Texas for the Christmas doings among the little ones of 
Europe. The Texas circulators' original plan was to send two 
hundred and fifty thousand pounds of nuts ; but Houston may be 
able to send that many without help. 

"The 'Hanky Panky' company is to be in Houston next week, 
and the Post has arranged for an open-air concert at the Post 
comer, Texas Avenue and Travis Street, at five o'clock next 
Thursday afternoon. At that performance, which will continue 
for about forty minutes, the girls will sell peanuts and pecans for 
the benefit of the Post's Christmas Ship fund. If the purchasers 
don't care for the nuts a big hogshead will be provided wherein 
they may be deposited, and later they will be included in the ship- 
ment to be made. The money realized will be used to purchase 
further supplies along the same lines, and there will thus be 
double benefit for the Christmas Ship. 

"Two big motor trucks will be made into an open-air plat- 
form, and there will be a piano for the music. There will be 
singing by girls who know how to sing, and there will be dancing 
— the tango and the maxixe, and the hesitation — and there will 
be some spiels made by the girls and not by any of the professional 
after-dinner speakers of Houston. 

' ' Being a citizen of Texas, you are invited, no matter whether 
you buy any of the pecans and peanuts or not. If you don't 
care to contribute and do care for the concert, come along. It 
is the Posfs treat. 

"The 'Hanky Panky' company is carrying an aggregation of 
good lookers, good dancers, and good singers. The concert will be 
well worth while. No reserved (or any other sort) of seats." 

The day after the unique concert it was described: 
"It rained on the Texas Avenue side of the Post building 
Thursday afternoon — and it rained hard. Several hundred 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 249 

Houstonians know it, but they are glad they got 'wet.' It 
rained mirth, showered melody, and poured with comedy, and 
it reached the floodtide in girls — and such girls! 

"Between the patter, songs, and dancing, petite, demure, 
and girlish girls circulated through the throng with sacks of 
peanuts and pecans, selling them for what they would bring. 
And many of the small parcels brought one dollar, and a greater 
number half dollars and quarters. 

"One party of 'good fellows' seated in an auto in bald-headed 
row bought until they emptied their purses. Each one insisted 
on patronizing each and all of the pretty salesgirls at least three 
or four times around. 

"From the street the girls invaded the office buildings in the 
immediate vicinity of Travis Street and Texas Avenue, and it 
was not until the improvised stage was pulled away at dusk that 
they finished their quest, with hands and pocketbooks chinkling 
with coins. 

"As the party — for that was what it was more than a charity 
matinee — progressed, the crowd and the girls began an inter- 
change of merriment that wound up with bags of peanuts and 
pecans being playfully tossed back and forth, until the manager, 
E. L. Bloom, announced the finale. 

' ' ' Where the Edelweiss Is Blooming, ' was sung by the Edel- 
weiss Quartette, and was generously received. Al Stedman 
uncorked another gallon of fun that almost caused a looker-on 
across the street to tumble from his resting place on a third- 
story windowsill. 

"In this wise those who heard the concert proved their good 
fellowship, for when the receipts of the five-minute sale were 
turned in there was $48.13." 

I only hope, when actors give benefits for the down-and-out 
of their kind, that the public will remember how more than 
generous the profession was to the Christmas Ship, and that 
actors' efforts to raise money for their dependent and helpless 
will meet with the same open hands and open pockets which they 
themselves have always offered. 

17 



250 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

All the railroads and express companies deserve praise for 
carrying the Christmas goods free, but I wish to call attention 
to General Hulen's remarks in the Post: 

" 'Certainly our road will help out the Christmas Ship enter- 
prise, ' said General John A. Hulen, general freight and passenger 
agent of the Trinity and Brazos Valley line. 'And so will every 
other railroad in the state if you ask them. If any of the 
Christmas Ship boxes should happen to come in with charges, 
just send the hills to me, and I will pay them myself! It is a big 
thing, the Christmas Ship idea, and a mighty good idea, too. 
Go tell Ed Combs of the Katy to take care of the stuff north 
of Waxahachie, and I will take care of this end of the line.' 

"At the Missouri, Kansas and Texas, Mr. Combs immedi- 
ately got in touch with the man higher up, with the result 
that a promise was given that the Katy would assist." 

To those of you who, like Jo Weber, "have never been to 
Texas," I may say that "Katy" is not the name of anybody's 
hired girl, but means the K.T., or the Missouri, Kansas and 
Texas Railroad! They pet everything in Texas — even an old 
railroad! Take notice, girls! 

Just before the campaign closed, the Post printed the follow- 
ing, a story written by a man who had seen the little orphans 
and who tells of their need for Christmas cheer: 

"There come to me in little flashes of memory, blurred by 
fatigue and want of sleep, pictures of weary women tramping 
along the country roads with babies and bundles, ever pressing 
northward from the glare and guns; of mothers who sobbed in 
churches and railway waiting rooms, sobbed over the loss of 
little ones from whom they had been separated in the rush and 
confusion, and who would not be comforted; of children who 
cried for food after I had emptied my pockets of bread and 
chocolate, which I was always buying; of unknown mites only 
a few weeks or months of age who had been found unclaimed 
in the railway carriages, and had been carried to shelter by ever 
splendidly tender Dutch soldiers. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 251 

"But babies, who in the tidal wave of war have been washed 
out of their wrecked homes, are cast on no inhospitable shore, 
for there is hardly a mother in Holland who will not adopt a 
little Belgian war baby if efforts now being made to trace its 
parents fail. 

"The Amsterdam Telegraaf is opening its columns free to 
refugees who wish to advertise for relatives from which they 
have been separated in flight. The first notice appears on 
behalf of a baby girl five weeks old, and asks, in her name, if 
any one will claim her. There follows a description of her 
appearance and clothes. 

"Separate and overwhelming are the tragedies that every 
one of these tens of thousands of refugees represents. I have 
just been trying to utter some words of hope and comfort to 
a young mother who is hunting through every shelter in Am- 
sterdam, after vain searches in Rosendaal and Rotterdam, 
for two of her children. During the flight from Antwerp her 
husband fell dead at her side under spattering fragments of 
German shells." 

Then came shipping days, and the great work of Texas 
for the Christmas Ship was over. The Post said this: 

"A great message of good cheer went out from a siding 
of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas in Houston Saturday — a 
message that will help feed, clothe, and make joyous the hungry 
and grief -stricken children of Europe. 

"Sealed doors marked 'Christmas Ship' closed on enough 
commodities to supply a small village: grain, flour, sugar, sirup, 
peanuts, toys, dolls, stockings, and clothes. Some from com- 
mercial houses and employees of various industries, and much 
from private homes, made up the contents. 

"Twenty-five dozen children's stockings filled with pea- 
nuts; thirty-five thousand bags of peanuts exclusively from 
Houston; ten dozen cases of sirup, two thousand nine hundred 
one-pound packages of Texas rice, five hundred barrels of corn 
meal, and one box of ten suits of new clothes were some of the 
largest contributions. Besides, there were thirty-one barrels 



252 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

containing individual donations of small size, and fifty packing 
cases holding clothes, nuts, and merchandise. With no place 
to store the goods, Mr. Patrick used his own warehouses, without 
charge, and his men's were the willing hands that loaded the car." 

The Fourth Estate commented upon the work as follows: 

"Nine carloads of nuts were shipped from these concentra- 
tion stations, together with thousands of bundles containing 
clothing, cases of Texas sorghum, and barrels of Texas-grown 
rice. 

"A line drawn from Texarkana, through Denison, Memphis, 
Coleman, Big Springs, Sweetwater, El Paso, Laredo, Browns- 
ville, Port Lavaca, Cuero, Victoria, Houston, Port Arthur, 
Beaumont, and Jefferson would include the area sending con- 
tributions to the various concentration points, an area equal 
to that of the German Empire. 

"It was the biggest newspaper stunt of its character ever 
pulled off in Texas, surpassing the Houston Post's 'Buy a Bale' 
plan for helping distressed cotton farmers, which is said to 
have led to the sale of one hundred and fifty thousand bales of 
cotton at ten cents per pound, and rescued that many thousand 
tenant farmers from actual want." 



CHAPTER XXIX 
Omaha's Splendid Work 

NEBRASKA was one of the most generous states in con- 
tributing to the Christmas Ship, The campaign was con- 
ducted by the Omaha Bee, which on October 25 came out with 
the following stirring and well written editorial: 

"The Christmas Ship typifies both the symbol and spirit 
of the work of love that will shower the far-away fatherless 
children of war-enthralled Europe with Christmas gifts from 
the children of free and peaceful America. 

"When these gifts of useful comforts, and toys too, have 
served their material ends and gladdened aching hearts, may the 
whole magnificent scheme then stand forth in bold relief against 
the dark, forbidding background of hideous war as a melancholy 
monument to this crime of the ages perpetrated by enlightened 
nations, not one of which is now, or ever will be, able to satisfy 
its own conscience for its part in the slaughter. 

"Little short of a miracle can now end hostilities before 
Christmas, when again the nations of the earth will lift their 
voices in the anthem of 'Peace on earth, good will toward men.' 
But to what people, save of the United States, will this shepherd 
song bring the spirit that it bore as it echoed from out against 
the Judean hills on that first Christmas morning? It is not 
enough that we shall feel the depths of all this meaning; our 
prayer is that Europe may feel it stronger, if possible, than we 
do — and feeling, shall some day, surely before another Christmas 
rolls round, cease firing. With all the strained constructions 
put upon His words, the world, regardless of creed, must come to 
believe that the One in whose name all this is done meant — as 
He said to an impetuous disciple on a crucial occasion, 'Put up 
thy sword' — that His kingdom was not to be propagated by 
violence. 

"So we of America, whatever our religious professions may 

253 



254 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

be, are growing deeper in the doctrine of peaceful arbitrament. 
And we stand as the good friend of all nations, ready to serve 
any. The Bee is rejoiced to have had a part in furthering this 
superb mission of peace, of altruism, of stem, practical philan- 
thropy. And as it comes to its glorious climax we desire to 
hail in a spirit of genuine fellowship and appreciation all those 
fine little folks, and their elders, who joined so nobly in an enter- 
prise whose immediate and future benefits are not for us to 
estimate." 

I give herewith a charming letter written me by Mr. T. W. 
McCullough, managing editor of the Omaha Bee: 

"My dear Miss Bell: 

"Your note of the 13th is before me. I do not understand 
exactly what you want for your book. Am inclosing a copy of 
the editorial which appeared in the Bee on Sunday, October 25 
last, which fairly sets forth the attitude of the Bee toward the 
Christmas Ship. 

"Our campaign was a very satisfactory one. We found the 
readers of the Bee eagerly responsive to a request for donations, 
and very likely would have been able to have secured a good deal 
more than we sent had it not been for the early closing of con- 
tributions. We loaded one of the biggest freight cars owned by 
the C. B. & Q. Railroad Company, in addition to which we sent 
the following week, by express, about six thousand pounds of 
donations. 

"I do not know that I can add anything to what I have 
already set forth further than to say that interest in the Christmas 
Ship still abides, and we find that our readers have eagerly 
watched its progress from the time it left New York until it 
reached Salonika, which, I understand, is to be its last port. 

' ' The spirit of giving then engendered still persists, and many 
generous and liberal donations for the relief of the suffering 
people of the war-stricken countries are still being sent out 
from Nebraska. We have not headed any list other than that 
for the Christmas Ship, nor is it likely that we shall. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 255 

' ' If you think of any further information that I could possibly 
give you, or require a more detailed statement than I have made, 
please let me hear from you. 

"Your idea was a splendid one, and I am sure you must 
take great personal satisfaction in the glorious outcome of 
your project. Your history of the movement will be eagerly 
read by all who contributed, and will be a lasting memorial of 
your great work. 

"Wishing you every success, I am, 
"Very truly yours, 

"T. W. MCCULLOUGH, 

"Managing Editor" 

From the Chicago Herald: 

"A furniture car packed to the roof and now on its way to 
the coast represents the contributions of the people of Nebraska 
and neighboring states to the Christmas Ship cargo. Many 
other packages are going forward by express. 

"The Omaha Bee, edited and published by Victor Rosewater, 
cooperated with the Herald throughout the Christmas Ship 
campaign. 

"Omaha's sixteen thousand school children contributed over 
five hundred dollars. This sum was expended by a committee 
of principals for shoes and stockings. Council Bluff's children 
added many gifts. 

"The little village of Syracuse, Nebraska, sent two packing 
cases, which contained eight hundred dollars' worth of new goods, 
in addition to two boxes and a barrel of gifts. Woodbine, Iowa, 
was another small town which contributed very liberally. Eight 
dozen girls' and misses' coats were sent by the girls of the Peru 
(Nebraska) Normal School. 

"The Burlington Railroad transported the big car to Chicago. 
Express companies have carried more than five thousand pounds 
of presents, and more are on the way. Shipments were received 
by the Bee from points as far west as Green River, Wyoming, 
and Salida, Colorado. 

"Decorah, Iowa, sent the following: 'Hearts of America's 



256 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

school children have been deeply touched by the need of their 
Old-World brothers and sisters.' A draft for $115.46 and seven 
large boxes of gifts, weighing 1,650 pounds, represent the work 
of the public schools of Decorah, Iowa. H. H. Green, superin- 
tendent, writes: 'Inclosed is a draft for $115.46 from Decorah. 
We have shipped via the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul seven 
boxes of goods. If anything more is received, we shall forward 
it immediately.' 

* ' And this touching incident is related from Oregon : Little 
Miss Shirley Overholt brought in a big yellow box contain- 
ing her beloved roller skates, a top, a knife, and other toys, 
the Portland (Oregon) Journal relates. Not satisfied with this 
gift, she solemnly removed the lid, opened up her little purse, 
and shook out the contents in a sort of baptism of pennies 
and dimes. Then she put on the lid and walked out, just as if 
little girls giving their fortunes to war sufferers was an everyday 
occurrence." 

Thus the Omaha Bee drew material from all the surrounding 
country and sent a well-filled car, as calmly as if such a monster 
contribution were an everyday occurrence — all in the day's 
work — hardly worth speaking about. 

But these things take my breath away when I try to write 
about them! 



CHAPTER XXX 
Pages from the "Chicago Herald" 

T WAS so stirred by the news which came pouring in to me 
-'- from all quarters, that I wrote the following in the Chicago 
Herald: 

With universal war raging in the hearts of men, the universal 
cry in the hearts of women is for peace. 

If all the women in the world could be consulted in an instant, 
their verdict would be for the wholesale murder to cease and 
peace to reign. War is no longer a gallant thing. It never was, 
but once personal bravery stood a chance. Now all that is 
required is a blind courage to march out to certain death, for 
machine guns, turning on pivots and sweeping from side to side, 
give little chance for any to escape. 

Do women bring sons into the world with anguish unspeakable, 
to sacrifice them by families to such wholesale murder? Do 
women toil and sacrifice and deny self all the weary years to feed 
and clothe and educate stalwart sons to sacrifice to a modern 
Moloch? Do women willingly send their men to die at an 
autocrat's will? 

But one word was spoken : War ! And instantly a million — 
two million — of the flower of the world's manhood marched out 
■ — to die ! They leave only the weaklings to live. 

The war is of the world's making. 

But two thousand years ago the gentle Nazarene prophet — 
the Savior of the world if men would but see Him! — spoke these 
remarkable words for just such a time as this: "Peace I leave 
with you, my peace I give unto you; not as the world giveth give 
I unto you!" 

Not as the world giveth, yet peace is at hand — the inward 
peace which must first be attained before the outward peace 
between nations can be manifest. In the midst of war's alarms 
was born the idea of a Christmas Ship, which is often on men's 

257 



258 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

tongues as the ship of peace. It was born of a tremendous 
travail for peace, and of the yearning of a great compassion for 
the unrighteous suffering inflicted upon the helpless children. 

And because the same thoughts were in the minds of other 
women and men the idea spread like wildfire and circled the 
globe in a month. The great compassion was already in the 
hearts of the people. The idea of a Christmas Ship made that 
compassion articulate. 

Then came the thought of letters — letters written by children 
who have always been taught that war was glorious — now 
turning in horror from the results of carnage and with eagerness 
to thoughts of peace. 

No matter whether the bitter lessons the children of Europe 
are daily learning will disgust them with war or not, this much is 
sure: As the result of the sending of this Christmas Ship the 
United States is safe from war with any country whose orphans 
receive its gifts. 

For what does the ship of peace carry besides its cargo of gifts ? 
Literally, a million letters which will knit human hearts together 
in the bonds of universal peace! Messages of every sort and 
description — tags, post cards, greetings, words of love and sym- 
pathy, but all breathing the suggestion of peace. 

And what else? 

Self -addressed envelopes for the little foreign children to use 
in answering these letters and responding to the gifts. 

These childish letters will form friendships which will last 
a lifetime. Marriages will take place ten or fifteen years from 
now between men and women who were introduced to each other 
as children, by letters — these same letters which are even now 
speeding to their destination on the Christmas Ship. 

The children of America and the children of Europe, thus 
introduced, will grow to love each other, to study each other's 
countries, to learn each other's customs, and then — 

Suppose the men of either Europe or America should suggest 
war! What would be the result? 

Our children know each other! We may war on neighbors 
we hate, but we will not war on friends we love! 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 259 

Aggression must come from them and not from us, but even 
so — it will be futile. It will not bear the fruit of war. We 
are a nation of peaceful intent and peaceful ideals. 

We are free here. No one man may plunge us into wholesale 
murder if the body of American women does not wish it. We are 
free! 

And never before have we known the majesty and the bodily 
safety contained in these immortal words of one of the greatest 
of Americans: "A government of the people, for the people, 
and by the people!" For now the word "people" includes 
women. 

Directly after this I received the following from the Hammond, 
Indiana, schools and used it on my page: 

"Writing letters to be sent on the Christmas Ship with gifts 
for the children of Europe has become a part of the curriculum 
of the Hammond schools. 

"Ever since the school board of that city sanctioned the 
Christmas Ship movement the children have been busy gathering 
and manufacturing presents. As they worked, the personal 
element became a factor, until it was decided the sending of 
letters was needed to express the feeling of international 
friendship. 

' ' ' After reading the letters I have come to the conclusion most 
of them will touch the hearts of their recipients in a way even 
the gifts cannot,' declared Superintendent C. M. McDaniel. 

" * I believe the children will remember them long after the 
gifts have worn out, while replies received by the boys and 
girls here always will be a tender memory.' 

"Each letter is marked with the name of the school and 
grade. 

"Typical letters from grade 3 A of the Lafayette School are 
as follows: 

"'Dear Child across the Sea: 

" * I am an American girl. We are sending you presents. I am 



26o THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

in school now. I am very sorry for you. We send you these 
gifts because we love you. I hope before our letters come to 
you the war will be over and your father will come home. We 
wish you a happy Christmas. 

"'Your friend, 

'"Marjory Downing' 

"'Dear Child across the Sea: 

" ' I am an American boy. We are sending Christmas gifts 
because we feel sorry for you. We hope you will have a happy 
Christmas. 

"'Your friend, 

"'Alfred Freyman' 

"The following is from a pupil of grade 7A: 

"'My dear Unkown Friend: 

' ' 'As it is growing near Christmas time, I hope our ship will 
bring you just what you want. All of us American children 
feel very sorry for you, and wish to make you a happy Christ- 
mas Day. 

' ' ' When the children of America celebrate Christmas, we first 
think of the birth of Christ, our Savior, who cares for us all. 
Whenever you or any of your friends feel bad over anything, 
remind them of Christ and tell them Christ is ever watching over 
all of you and cares for every one. If you pray to Him He will 
hear you praying and help you. 

" * So when you feel bad just think of us children over here 
and think of how we are thinking of you. In our school work 
we think of you and talk of you, and wish the war was settled 
and every one prospering. 

' ' ' But it will soon end, so brighten up and when it is over 
please write to me and tell me how happy you are. 

' ' 'All of us children over here across the ocean hope you will 
have a happy Christmas, and hope Santa Claus will bring you 
just what you want. He will not forget one of you, I am sure. 
This letter was written by Violet Stinson of Hammond.'" 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 261 

In addition to these letters, which are among the most 
touching which came to me, West Hammond also did its part. 

Ninety-two dollars and twenty-eight cents were raised by 
the children of the West Hammond schools in an eight-day 
Christmas Ship nickel campaign. Several days before the 
opening of the campaign, Superintendent A. G. Deaver sent a 
letter to all parents in West Hammond, requesting them to give 
each child a nickel, the plan being that the pupil invest the 
nickel, and at the end of the period turn in the amount to the 
Christmas Ship fund. 

The two children who earned the most, Richard Zimmerman 
and Sarah Pease, were awarded prizes at the conclusion of a 
special Christmas Ship entertainment given by the schools. 

On the same day that I received the following telegram, I got 
several others from personal friends in San Francisco, and in 
them they said that men and women wept as the procession 
wound its way through the streets of San Francisco. 

' ' Christmas Ship Editor, the Herald, Chicago : 

"There was tremendous interest on the streets of San Fran- 
cisco to-day when a procession of twelve four-horse trucks, 
loaded with cases and headed by a band of music and a squad 
of police, paraded on their way to the railroad depot. 

* ' More than four hundred cases, containing over two hundred 
and twenty thousand articles, consigned to the war orphans of 
Europe, were on these trucks. The cases contained thousands 
of dresses, all new; thousands of shoes for men, women, and 
children, and purchased with the money subscribed by the people ; 
thousands of babies' and children's dresses, caps, and hats, and 
hundreds of layettes made by women in San Francisco, each 
layette containing a complete outfit for a baby and tied with 
ribbons. 

"Many of these contributions were marked for the baby 
unborn. These four hundred cases will leave to-night on a 
passenger train for New York, where they will be transferred to 
a ship, and will arrive in Brooklyn on November 5. This will 
be followed by a smaller and clean-up shipment made on Monday. 



262 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

The distance of San Francisco from New York compels this rush 
shipment to reach the Bush Terminal in Brooklyn in time for 
the Christmas Ship. 

"M. H. DeYoung, 
"Editor, the San Francisco Chronicle" 

Think of a contribution from these gallant old soldiers! 
The following letter from William T. Beadles, chaplain of the 
Soldiers' and Sailors' Home at Quincy, Illinois, tells a story into 
which is woven the real spirit of the Christmas Ship : ' ' Inclosed 
please find Chicago Exchange for fifty- two dollars, the contri- 
bution of the veterans of the Civil War, now members of the Illi- 
nois Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, to the Christmas Ship fund 
which is being raised for the needy children orphaned by the 
European war." 

The generosity of school children everywhere was remarkable 
— none more so than that of the boys and girls of Clay County, 
Iowa, as shown in the Herald: 

"A draft for $616.56 has just been received by the Christmas 
Ship department from the school children of Clay County, Iowa. 
The draft was forwarded by Miss Mary Riley, superintendent 
of schools. Miss Riley sent out only one circular, which was 
reproduced in several of the papers of the county. She asked for 
cash donations only, and confined her appeal to the children 
who attend the schools. 

"One rural district with only twenty-five pupils gave forty- 
five dollars, and another, of eighteen pupils, twenty-one dollars. 

"The showing of the Spencer schools is one of the most 
spectacular of all the many striking cases of enthusiasm that 
have been demonstrated during the Christmas Ship campaign." 

About this time The Living Church, the official organ of the 
Episcopal Church, printed this editorial: "Happily, a desire 
to give effect to our brotherly sentiment toward the whole world 
is observable in many quarters. The Chicago Herald has lately 
devoted much space to a plan whereby the children of America 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 263 

shall present Christmas gifts to children of war sufferers through- 
out Europe, and arrangements have been made for conveying 
these in a special ship flying the Stars and Stripes, and under- 
neath it a white flag on which will be inscribed the word 
'Inasmuch.' " 

Indeed, never was a philanthropy so widely commended by 
the church and church-going people as the Christmas Ship. 
And the reason for it is contained in just such wonderful acts 
as that of "Self-Denial Day," described in the Herald: 

"Six hundred thousand men will deny themselves something 
on November 10 and give to the Christmas Ship the money they 
might have spent. The men are members of the Loyal Order 
of Moose, an organization which has for its two major ideals the 
principles of unselfishness and human service. 

"They have constituted Tuesday, November 10, as 'Self- 
Denial Day.' For the twenty-four hours, beginning at midnight, 
November 9, until the corresponding hour of the following day, 
no Loyal Moose will indulge in any luxury. Tobacco, expensive 
dinners, theater parties — everything save the bare necessities 
of life — they will deny themselves for this one day, and the 
unfortunates abroad will reap the benefits of their sacrifice. 

"The plan originated with the Christmas Ship Committee 
of the local lodges of the order. It will take the place of a ball, 
which the order had intended to give for the Christmas Ship 
fund. 'There is something in the idea of the Christmas Ship 
which made us feel that giving a dance would be incompatible 
with the merits of the charity to which we intended to devote the 
proceeds,' said James Barron, chairman of the committee, 
yesterday. 'Gifts made in the name of the Christmas Ship we 
felt should involve a sacrifice on the part of the giver. For that 
reason we devised the plan which conditions the amount of the 
gift upon the personal sacrifices of our members.' 

"The real depth of the spirit with which the Moose fraternity 
has taken up the idea of the Christmas Ship is revealed in the 
following incident: 

"In Mooseheart, Illinois, one hundred and twenty-five 



264 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

dependent children are being cared for and taught trades at the 
expense of the order. 'These children either are homeless or 
their relatives are too poor to support them,' said Rodney H. 
Brandon, superintendent. 'They are children who generally 
receive lots of gifts at Christmas time, but who rarely give — 
for they have no money, and no relatives to whom to give.' 

' ' The children are given one picnic a month, and look forward 
to it as the supreme joy of their existence. Yet one of them, 
a twelve-year-old boy, rose at a meeting of the children and said : 
'Boys, I move we give up our picnic this month and give the 
fifteen dollars to the poor kiddies who have lost their fathers.' 

"His motion was put. It carried unanimously." 

The spirit which moved these one hundred and twenty-five 
boys differed not at all from the spirit with which their protectors, 
the members of the Loyal Order of Moose, voluntarily have set 
aside one day on which to make sacrifices in the service of others. 

There is something wonderful to me in the thought of six 
hundred thousand business men setting aside a day in which to 
deny themselves some luxury that by so doing they may help 
load the Christmas Ship for little children they will never see ! 

It would have been far easier for them simply to move that a 
certain sum be taken from the treasury and sent to us. But no ! 
They knew the spirit of self-sacrifice would be worth more as a 
spiritual asset if managed in this way. 

And the first result was the inspiring sight of their own 
orphaned charges emulating their noble example. That alone, 
if made known to all of them, must have been compensation for 
all they gave up. 

The Royal Arcanum came in also, marvelously understanding, 
as all these great fraternities are, of any message which contains 
an incentive to further the brotherhood of man, which is the 
basis of their orders. 

"The Royal Arcanum, one of the largest fraternal and 
beneficial organizations in the United States, will help to load 
the Christmas Ship," said the Herald. "The working force of 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 265 

the society comprises more than a quarter of a million members 
organized into two thousand councils, scattered throughout 
every state and in almost every city and town in the Union. 

"The organization's intention to share in the work of making 
Christmas happier for the war siififerers abroad was voiced by 
speakers at a banquet of the grand council of Illinois in the 
Hotel LaSalle Saturday night. 

' ' ' The Christmas Ship is a beautiful and a noble conception, 
which we, as members of a great fraternal organization, are 
bound to support morally and actively,' said C. Arch Williams, 
supreme orator of the order. 'We stand for universal peace — 
and the Christmas Ship stands for that also. We stand for 
brotherhood — and the Christmas Ship meets us more than 
halfway. We stand for charity, for sympathy, for love — and it 
is on these very ideals that the Christmas Ship is founded. 

" 'There is something big and inspiring in the thought of 
a great nation settling down to work and sacrifice in the name 
of a principle which reaches out beyond the barriers of race 
and nationality. 

' ' ' Expressions of charity and human brotherhood have not 
been rare in the history of the world. But, in this time of almost 
world-wide strife, suffering, and bloodshed, selfless service on as 
great a scale as that contemplated by the Christmas Ship seems 
almost epochal.'" 

I particularly like what these men say of the idea of the 
Christmas Ship. And what Mr. Benjamin, Grand Exalted Ruler 
of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, says of it is very 
well worth printing: 

"Charity is always beautiful,' he said in the Herald, 'because 
it is the expression of love and of understanding. But there 
is something in the Christmas Ship which is bigger than charity 
— which is love itself. 

"Love, after all, is disinterested, willing service — and that is 
the Christmas Ship. Love is brotherhood, a human bond which 
knows no differences of race, nationality, or creed — and that, 
too, is the Christmas Ship. 

18 



266 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"There is something strikingly beautiful in the thought of 
giving to children — the thought of the children of one great 
nation sacrificing something that the children of other nations 
might be happier. It is a big opportunity — not only for children 
but for grown-ups as well — to render a selfless kind of human 
service. For the Christmas Ship stands for selflessness, for 
service without hope of personal recompense either direct or 
indirect. The gifts it carries will be offerings from the very 
heart of the American nation. And because they will be offerings 
of that sort they will mean greater happiness to the children 
across the sea than the gifts alone could possibly mean. 

"Service for its own sake is the greatest and most beautiful 
function which it is within the power of man to perform. Service 
of that kind involves two determinate factors — sacrifice and self- 
submersion. 

' ' What a big, fine world this would be if, without the stimulus of 
great disaster and tragic suffering, human nature would rise in its 
might and transmute the beauty of such a plan as the Christmas 
Ship into the human material of everyday! But that day has 
not yet come. And it is to ideas like that of the Christmas Ship 
that the world will owe the beauty of that day when it dawns." 

As long as time endures will be remembered what these 
fraternities did for the Christmas Ship. Indeed, it was the 
thought of the universal brotherhood of man which inspired me 
to write the following to my Santa Claus Class: 

I little dreamed when I was traveling in Europe and writing 
for the magazines a light-hearted history of my adventures, 
for what real work I was preparing myself. I believe now that all 
that time I was getting ready for the idea of the Christmas Ship. 

I saw and learned to know many of the peasants in the 
different countries through which I traveled. I talked to them; 
I visited some of them in their huts. I talked with noble men 
and women who are working constantly with them to teach 
better ways of living. In Moscow I met the great Tolstoi, and 
talked hours with him about the moujiks in Russia. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 267 

I met the beautiful Princess Sophie Golitzine, who was the one 
to open the first woman's exchange in Russia. She took the 
famous lace those peasant women made by hand and showed them 
how they could get money for it with which to buy necessities. 
They had been selling it for almost nothing, but she called it to 
the attention of her rich friends, and saw to it that proper prices 
were paid. 

But I thought less of the lace than I did of the splendid brown 
faces of the lacemakers. I learned how they lived. I heard 
about their children, and how they expect their husbands to 
treat them. 

Life is so hard for the peasants of Europe! It is no wonder 
they come to us by thousands. 

Tolstoi's whole heart was with the common people. Although 
he was bom into the nobility, and was a count, his friends were 
the liberated serfs. He wore their costume — a blue blouse, a 
white linen smock, and high, coarse leather boots. His wife and 
daughters wore velvet and satin, and his wife cared very little 
for his work, but his sons and daughters were more like him. 

He asked me many, many questions about America, of our 
public schools, and of you children — how we are educated, what 
the poor have to eat, what wages they are paid for this and that — 
and fortunately I could answer most of his questions. 

I told him how eagerly we read his books and how America 
would welcome him if he should come over and tell us about his 
work of making life a little easier for the poor of his great country. 

He never came, but this I know — he would have been the 
most glad of any one on the other side if he could have known of 
the Christmas Ship, for he also believed that works should go 
hand in hand with words, and he lived his doctrines — working 
side by side with his people, although he was born a great noble 
and might have lived in a castle if he had wished. 

There are ever so many ways of giving. In fact, the way 
people give is indicative of their characters, and those who are 
in need often find to their sorrow that gifts or offers to help may 
really be insultingly given. 

The best way to give help is to begin by analyzing three 



268 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

words — pity, sympathy, and compassion. Pity is not a pleasant 
thing to receive, for it always looks down on its object from a 
height above. Sympathy is an expression of brotherliness, and 
reaches out from a level, so sympathy, properly expressed, is 
always acceptable. But sympathy is merely mental. Com- 
passion is the loftiest sentiment of all, for it not only includes 
sympathy, but it carries with it a material expression of help. 
To be sorry for the hunger of a starving family and to carry a 
basket of food on your arm is to have compassion on them. 

Don't you remember in the Bible, when the Master had been 
talking to the multitude for many hours (for it says, "when the 
day began to wear away"), the disciples asked Him to send them 
home so they could get food? But He answered: "Give ye 
them to eat." 

They said they couldn't. So then He "had compassion 
on them," and fed them by calling on His Father to supply their 
needs. 

Why did n't He pity them and not do anything ? Or tell them 
how sorry He was that they were weak and faint from hunger 
and many miles from where food could be bought? 

Why did He "have compassion on them" and feed them all 
they could eat while He sympathized with them? 

Because that was His way — the way He wants us to do. Talk 
and feed at the same time! 

It would have to be a pretty good line of talk that would feed 
empty stomachs, would n't it? Yet I suppose the Master could 
have healed them of their hunger by prayer just as easily as He 
raised Lazarus from the dead — only He did n't. 

He fed them. 

And in every other place in the New Testament where it 
speaks of "having compassion," works accompany the oral 
expression of sympathy. 

That is why we are sending a Christmas Ship to Europe to 
relieve the want and woe which fall on women and children of a 
war-devastated land. 

Another fine thing about it is that we are not waiting for 
them to ask. Perhaps they never would have asked. They 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 269 

may be too stunned by the horrors they have undergone. They 
may not know whom to ask or how to go about it. 

Perhaps they think, as long as we are a neutral power, that 
we are paying very little attention to their war, or that we do 
not realize what is happening over there. 

There are ever so many reasons why they have not asked us 
for help. With cables cut, telegraph offices watched, and every 
line people write censored, it might be that no plea for help would 
be allowed. 

But we have not waited for that ! We are sending help before 
they ask. 

You know, in America, when a great disaster befalls a town 
its mayor sends out word for other cities to help, and he tells 
what they need. 

We did n't wait for that. We got their mental cry. And 
we sent out a mental wireless to all America for help. 

What happened then? 

Every boy and girl, every mother and father, got that mental 
wireless because their minds were all perfectly equipped receiving 
stations. 

They began to imagine what these boys and girls needed (for 
no one has come over to tell us). They formed mental pictures 
of the wants of the mothers of little babies and the children 
too small to work. 

This whole enormous scheme was — is — mental. By using 
our minds we learn how to work with the greatest wisdom. 

So many letters come asking if I will not suggest something 
to be made for the little orphans of the war, and everything is 
offered from toys for the little children to clothes and shoes for 
the big. 

But there is one kind of orphan whom we have not as yet 
considered, one sort of widow who is not yet provided for, and 
that is the poor soul whose ' ' man ' ' has been killed ere he saw his 
last-born child. 

Think of this, you children of America. There are many, 
many tiny new-born babies who will never see their daddies. 
What shall we send to them? 



270 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

One of the most awful aspects of this cruel war is the picture 
in our minds of newly-made or expectant mothers, and among the 
things we need most of all are outfits for the new-born babies. 

As it is now, every town is a city of dread, and no matter how 
much safety, how many luxuries, or what tender care these women 
could have purchased once, this is a time .when even money is 
practically useless and powerless, for safety and convenience 
cannot be purchased. 

In sheltered and peaceful America we cannot form any picture 
of how destitute these women are. Their condition is one which 
should rouse every woman in the United States to bestir herself 
and do something. 

If we sent over ten thousand outfits by our ship we would not 
provide for the babies which will be born between now and 
Christmas to wives whose husbands will be killed before our gifts 
can reach them. Life and death are running a race, and death 
seems to be winning. So if we do our best to prepare for the 
little lives which are on the way, we still cannot provide for all. 

A few days after such an appeal as this, my mail would con- 
tain cheques and money orders and letters begging me to purchase 
the things I had asked for, showing me that my talks to the 
children bore fruit quickly. 

The following came by the Associated Press. In Paris alone 
it was estimated that thirty thousand babies were expected before 
January i, 1915. 

"Paris papers comment in touching terms upon the antici- 
pated voyage of the American Santa Claus to European ports 
on one of Uncle Sam's vessels to bring Christmas presents to the 
children of sorely tried European families. It will not be the 
soonest forgotten of the minor incidents of the war." 

It was estimated that fifty thousand gifts on the ship pertained 
to the wants of new-bom babies or expectant mothers. 

That alone was enough to justify the signal, "Godspeed!" 



CHAPTER XXXI 

How Champaign Honored the Christmas Ship 

IN going about the country, addressing clubs and societies, 
I made many delightful friends. I received a request from 
Ralph Merrill of Hinsdale to address a mass meeting to organize 
the work there, and I went. I found him to be a live wire, 
who from the first was head and front of the Christmas Ship 
enthusiasm in Hinsdale. 

He is president of the Sunday Evening Club there, and was 
elected chairman of the Christmas Ship Association. Under 
his leadership they held a series of entertainments at which all 
sorts of interesting and unique features were carried out. 

Mr. Merrill not only invited me to suggest plans, but he made 
use of my ideas, and by cooperating he won enthusiastic praise 
from his colleagues f 6r the way he snatched victory from apparent 
defeat— the town having committed itself to another charity 
before the Christmas Ship Association was formed. 

From the first, this young man was awake to the full signifi- 
cance of the idea and he, more than any other I worked with, 
understood what I was trying to do for the children of two 
continents. 

He conducted a sale of my song, and materially added to its 
popularity by his efforts to bring it before the public. 

That Hinsdale was able to make such a handsome showing 
was largely due to his efficient leadership. 

When it was all over, on Christmas Day, he was the one to 
send me a card thanking me for my work on the Christmas Ship. 

I shall not forget that. 

One day in the Christmas Ship department, Mr. W. W. Cha- 
pin, the publisher of the Herald, entered. He at once came over 
to my desk, holding out his hand and saying, "Miss Bell, I am 
Mr. Chapin. I have often seen you, so now I must introduce 
myself." There were a number of gentlemen in the office, and 
when he asked permission to introduce them and I gave it, he 

271 



272 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

said: "Gentlemen, this is the lady who invented the Christmas 
Ship. She imagined it. She originated it. She planned it all 
out. In short, gentlemen. Miss Bell is the Christmas Ship. She 
is the whole thing in this office!" 

When I was in Champaign, the guest of Dr. Edmund James, 
the president of the University of Illinois, Dr. James was asking 
about the personnel of the Herald staff and finally he said, 
"What kind of a man is Mr. Chapin?" 

"Well," I said, "he is the sort of man who thinks if a woman 
wants a thing that is reason enough for her to have it!" 

At which all at the table broke into applause, and Dr. James 
said, "Bully for Chapin!" 

A day or so after this Mr. Chapin's secretary, Mrs, Powell, 
saw me with a package of letters I was taking home to answer. 
There were about two hundred of them, and I had to carry them 
home in a box. She heard me ask for the use of a stenographer. 

The next afternoon she came into the Christmas Ship depart- 
ment and asked if I had to answer those letters in longhand, and 
when I replied that I did, she said: "I have a friend, a young 
girl named Ruth Inness. I told her I believed you needed a 
secretary, and she says if you will accept her services, to 
answer your letters will be her contribution to the Christ- 
mas Ship." 

As I had been up nearly all night, trying to do justice to those 
letters, my gratitude must be imagined. 

Mrs. Powell, not content with this service, must needs send 
a typewriter from the Herald to my house, so that, owing to her 
kindness, I had, for those two hundred letters, a secretary. 

About this time a monster rally was arranged for at Cham- 
paign, participated in by the Urbana Commercial Club, the 
Champaign Chamber of Commerce, and the University of 
Illinois. Dr. James wrote me a most delightful letter outlining 
the plan and suggesting that every college and university in the 
country could do likewise. But only a few of them did — 
because college presidents like Dr. James are few and far between. 

He invited me down to this meeting to speak on the subject 
of the Christmas Ship, and not realizing that I might just as well 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 273 

be asked to stand on top of Mt. Blanc and address Switzerland, 
I accepted. I heard that it was to be held in the new armory, but 
did not realize how large it was, for the letter Dr. James wrote 
me at the Herald office explaining it did not reach me until the 
rally was a thing of the past. 

It began by Mr. J. K. Eggleston's suggestion of a Christ- 
mas Ship day, and through his enterprise it became the largest 
celebration held anywhere in the United States. 

Mr. Eggleston and Dr. James featured me as the originator 
of the Christmas Ship idea. They sent to the Herald for a cut 
of me, and used it on the program, and advertised it far and wide 
that the one who first thought of the Christmas Ship would be 
present in person and address them, telling how the idea came 
and how it grew to be such a mighty thing. 

They issued hundreds of thousands of circulars, giving a list 
of speakers, headed by President James and Vice-president 
Kinley of the university, describing what sort of presents to 
give, telling of the chorus of twenty-five hundred voices which 
would sing the national hymns, and stating that the entire plant 
of the university would be thrown open to visitors. 

The circular ended with these significant words, showing 
that they understood that books would describe this wonderful 
campaign and that many years from now people would still be 
interested in its unique history: 

' ' If your school, lodge, church, or organization is to be repre- 
sented, immediate action must be taken; do it to-day. Let it 
be a matter of future pride to you, when history books relate the 
sending of a Christmas Ship to beleaguered Europe, with its 
message of good will, that you had part in the undertaking," 

It was signed by the Gift-Ship Day Executive Committee — 
J. K. Eggleston, chairman; S. E. Amsbary, F. C. Amsbary, 
J. M. White, R. E. Zombro, Joseph Keller, and G. L. Kizer. 

It was about this time that Mr. Eggleston wrote me about 
the small flags I mentioned in a previous chapter. 

Miss Inness had helped me so much with my private corre- 
spondence, as well as that of the Christmas Ship that I already 
had at home, that I asked her if she would not like to go with me 
to Champaign, and she was delighted. 



274 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

The day was perfect. It was Sunday, November i, and as 
we left the train a howHng mob of students had taken possession 
of the station to welcome back home the football team which 
had just defeated the University of Minnesota. 

We could not get through the crowd at first, but finally 
Professor Phelps, Dr. James' secretar}^ rescued us and took us 
to a waiting automobile. 

We were taken to the president's house and there beautifully 
entertained at dinner. After dinner Dr. James took his other 
guest, Dr. Ball, and Miss Inness and myself for a tour of the 
buildings. 

I have visited many universities and known many presidents 
thereof, but never have I found in any of them more lofty 
ideals, practically worked out, than in Dr. James. No other 
university that I know of is doing work of more vital import, 
bearing upon the economic problems of the day, than Dr. James 
has inaugurated at the University of Illinois, and I speak of 
him and think of him always as the man with the Vision. He 
is building for the future. 

After a tour of the university buildings our automobile began 
to encounter such vast crowds of people that we finally stopped. 

Dr. James was plainly disappointed about something. 

Just then a policeman made his way to us and said: "It's 
no use. Dr. James! You can't get through this crowd. There 
are too many women and children!" So we got out and walked. 

"I had planned," said Dr. James, "to have you drive into 
the building. The regiment is waiting just inside to form an 
escort for you." 

I must have looked my surprise, for Dr. James laughed and 
said: "You haven't seen your audience yet!" 

We were ten minutes making our way to the rear of the 
speakers' platform. I had to step on a chair and be pulled up 
to the rostrum. Then I had my first view of a real crowd. 

Fifteen thousand men, women, and children were massed, 
standing, in that enormous armory. A chorus of twenty-five 
hundred voices was behind us on the platform. The student 
band, the best I ever heard, was just in front of us. A sounding 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 275 

board was over our heads. A megaphone lay on the speakers' 
desk. 

I never saw such a sea of faces. The addresses were merci- 
fully short — not over two minutes, some of them. Mine was 
about five. I don't remember what I said. I only remember 
seeing women lift little children in their arms, and the gratitude 
I saw in their faces, because of my thought of a Christmas 
Ship by which their sympathy had been made practical, was 
a reward for all that had gone before. 

Dr. James spoke, and Dean Kinley. Then the plan for our 
entrance, which had been frustrated by the crowd, was carried 
out on our departure. 

Dean Kinley took the megaphone and shouted: 

"You will please not make an effort to leave the armory 
until the automobile containing Lilian Bell and President James 
has circled the building and passed out of the east entrance." 

But they did not obey. They all surged forward. So he 
again addressed them, saying, "If you move, you will cause a 
riot, and women and children will be injured. Stand where 
you are!" This time they obeyed. 

Our automobile was at the end of the platform, and as it 
slowly nosed its way out through the crowd, men and women 
pressed near to shake hands with me, and I saw tears in the eyes 
of many. 

Presently I became aware that we were passing soldiers. 
And there, drawn up the long way of the great armory, was the 
student regiment, and as we passed them they presented arms. 

This time there were tears in my own eyes, for too well I 
know that military honors are seldom paid to a woman. 

Dr. James was plainly proud of his boys. 

As we passed out of the east entrance, the regiment fell in 
behind us and followed our automobile a mile. Then, as we 
halted. Dr. James said to me, "Will you stand up and review 
them?" 

"Oh, shall I?" I gasped, in such excitement that my friends 
laughed. 

But I did just that. The regiment executed a fancy drill, 



276 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

and again presented arms to me, and I was wild because I 
could n't take my hat off as the colors were carried by ! 

But I saluted the flag — that was the best I could do. 

It was so beautiful. I shall never forget it. The afternoon 
sun was just going down, and it glanced on the shining bayonets 
and lighted up the strong splendid faces of the cadets in a way 
I shall always remember. And, best of all, there was Dr. James, 
the head of this great university of my native state, who had 
planned this honor to give me pleasure. 

When it was over a number of people came to the train 
to see us off, among them the Champaign representative of 
the Chicago Herald. He congratulated me generously and said: 
"Miss Bell, I have just sent off the greatest story about you 
that I ever wrote about anybody! I wired three columns, and 
I played you up strong. I described everything that happened, 
especially your reviewing the regiment. That was great ! You 
ought to be awfully proud, for I ' ve never seen anything like it ! " 

"I do not believe," said Dr. James, "that anything like it 
ever happened before, in the history of our country. If it did, 
I never heard of it. It was unprecedented, and she may well feel 
proud." 

"Indeed, I do not feel proud," I said earnestly. "On the 
contrary, it makes me feel very humble, but grateful — so grateful 
that I have been allowed to launch a plan which has attracted 
the attention of the whole world, and I thank you for what you 
have tried to do for me in writing it up." 

This rally at Champaign was the most tremendous held 
anywhere in the United States, and Mr. Eggleston told me that 
the doorkeepers declared fully seven thousand were turned away. 

The kindness of those in charge of it, especially Dr. James 
and Mr. Eggleston, I shall never forget. 

On the day the Christmas Ship sailed, I obtained my greatest 
comfort from the recollection of my day at Champaign. 



CHAPTER XXXII 

Stories of Self-Sacrifice 

T FEEL as if I knew all those who worked for the Christmas 
-■- Ship, as indeed I did, otherwise how did I know the sym- 
pathy for the distress of Europe which was burning in your 
hearts — the sympathy which leaped forth like a flame as soon 
as I told you of my idea of a Christmas Ship ? I knew that what 
I felt, you felt, and that as soon as a way was suggested, millions 
of tender hearts would respond. 

The cargo of the Christmas Ship was personal. Every woman 
mentally put herself in the place of the mother who would receive 
her gift, and the result was that every need of the newly born 
was thought out. Even daintiness and beauty were added to 
the joy of the expectant mother on the other side, for pink and 
blue ribbons garnished the tiny slips, and not one of the little 
stranger's tender wants was forgotten. 

The most precious part of the precious cargo, however, was 
not the work of living men, women, and children. It was the 
giving by mothers of dead children's toys and clothing. Precious 
souvenirs which, in some instances, had been laid away in 
lavender for years — things so precious that no living eye except 
the mother's had viewed them — things wept over in moments 
of heartbroken loneliness with only the eye of the pitying Father 
in Heaven to see — these things were brought forth in the spirit 
of those who, for such a cause, would break the alabaster box of 
ointment and do for the least of these what they would do for 
Him who loved little children and blessed them. 

Nothing else in all this world could so have pulled at the 
heart strings of grieving mothers as the misery of the little ones 
of war-torn Europe, for out of the very chamber of death, all 
over the land, stole ghostly figures, laying their precious tributes 
in the lap of the Christmas Ship. 

The Herald received many such. The first was this: 

277 



278 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"'Christmas Ship Editor of the Herald: 'In his name,' 
the only son, who died before he learned of Santa Claus, I send 
you twenty dollars. 

'"G. B.'" 

This one came from the Worcester Post: 

"One very pathetic situation was revealed yesterday after- 
noon when a representative of the Post called at a home in 
response to a telephone call to get a box of toys. The woman 
who came to the door said she had recently lost a seven-year-old 
daughter, and the box which she wanted to put on the Christmas 
Ship contained all the playthings that were once so dear to the 
little girl." 

Think what a tug must have come to the heartstrings of these 
mothers because of the plight of the little orphans of the war! 
Nothing else on earth could have caused them to open these 
shrines to their blessed dead. 

From the Philadelphia North American came this: 

" 'For a Belgian baby, from Baby John, who didn't stay.' 
This inscription was written in a woman's hand on the label 
of a Christmas Ship box brought into a Philadelphia receiving 
station. The woman who brought the box laid it down on the 
counter. 'I wish these things to go — to go — she said. Her 
voice died away. 

" 'I can't tell you,' she faltered. 'I got them for my own 
little baby. He — he did n't live — he did n't stay. They 
are just as they were — just as I had them ready for him. He 
never needed them. Will you see that some other baby gets 
them?' 

"Then she turned away and left the pavilion." 

The following came to me, and was printed on our Christmas 
Ship page: 

"A Chicago mother whose own little girl has died has hit upon 
a plan for making other little girls happy. She has gathered up 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 279 

a few of the toys which used to belong to her daughter, and has 
asked that they be included in the cargo of the Christmas Ship. 

" 'One of the things in the box is a little sewing machine,' 
she explained yesterday. 'It may be the means of making 
some little girl happy.' 

"There is no name, no address written on the package. 
There is only one little sentence. It reads : ' From a woman in 
America to a little girl in Europe.'" 

As was this also: 

" 'For the Christmas Ship, from our little boy who has gone 
before.' The above was received yesterday by the Christmas 
Ship department. It came in a small plain envelope and in 
the simple, impressive message was pinned a two-dollar bill. 
There was nothing to identify the sender." 

And the sacrifices of little children in prosperous sections of 
the country to help our own, were also touching. 

"A novel plan for raising money for the Christmas Ship fund 
has been originated by Miss Lillie S. Cooper, principal of the 
Springfield (South Dakota) school. Under her direction children 
of the school have undertaken the task of raising 'a mile of 
pennies to help fill the Christmas Ship with cotton from the 
Sunny South.' 

"Strips twelve inches long, each to hold a dozen pennies, 
have been distributed to every school child in Springfield. In 
a letter to the Herald, Miss Cooper announced her intention of 
purchasing cotton goods with the money, 'so helping the South as 
well as the children abroad.'" 

Things like these are what make the story of the Christmas 
Ship momentous in the history of this country. 

Every one who contributed is still talking of it. Everywhere 
I go I hear echoes of the happiness it gave all sorts and conditions 
of women to work for the ship. They dwell lovingly on the 
memory of it. They lay stress on the privilege they consider 
it to have been allowed to help. 



28o THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

It is beautiful — the way the people still continue to think 
of the Christmas Ship. 

"Among the articles that were sent to the Christmas Ship 
from Chicago yesterday," said the Herald, "was a substantial 
contribution from the Women's Auxiliary of the Chicago Press 
Club. The contribution consisted of the following: Two 
thousand five hundred sweaters, assorted sizes; 504 crocheted 
hoods, 96 children's dresses, 96 boys' overalls, two boys' suits, 
48 pairs woolen stockings, 48 pairs of cotton stockings, one case 
of shoes, 100 knit caps, and 3,600 toys. 

"One of the most generous boxes sent to the Herald office to 
be forwarded to the children overseas is that contributed by the 
Prince of Wales Chapter of the Daughters of the British Empire. 
The contents of the box are valued at more than six hundred 
dollars. 

"There were dozens of suits of underwear, sweaters, stockings, 
mittens, wristlets, caps, jackets, nighties, petticoats, shirts, baby 
blankets, and all manner of practical things for the tiny morsels 
of humanity so sorely in need. 

"The children on One Hundred and First Street made nine 
linen scrap books, dressed nine dolls, and packed away not a few 
playthings to delight the souls of the war children. 

"The spirit that prompted the voyage of the Christmas Ship 
met with enthusiastic response from both old and young, and the 
children vied with their elders in little acts of thoughtfulness 
and generosity." 

"The Christmas Ship campaign continues to meet with 
success in Milwaukee. The following letter was received from 
Lieutenant-Colonel J. A. Watrous, who is a Milwaukee supporter 
of the Christmas Ship cause : 

" 'Milwaukee has fallen in love with the Herald's Christmas 
Ship enterprise, and there is promise that a good deal of space in 
the ship will be required to meet the demands from Milwaukee. 
The Marquette Woman's League, six hundred strong, has 
launched the campaign and, as in other cities, the idea has 
captured the multitude. The wife of Judge M. S. Sheridan, 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 281 

Mrs. J. H. Hackett, Mrs. Edward G. Paine, and Mrs. J. H. 
Derse have thrown open their homes as receiving stations, and 
are doing much toward the success of the project.'" 

"Children of the Sunday school of the Church of the 
Redeemer, the Episcopal Church of Hyde Park, have sent a 
wagonload of happiness to the unhappy children of Europe. 

"Two weeks ago they set to work. They not only kept busy 
themselves, but interested their parents and friends. Sunday 
they filled a corner of their assembly room with gifts. 

"Older members were invited to attend the exhibit. They 
came in force, with the result that the number of packages 
continued to grow. Yesterday the Reverend John Henry Hop- 
kins, rector, asked the Herald to send a wagon for the gifts." 

"There are not many school children in a town with a total 
population of one thousand five hundred, but when they are all 
wide-awake youngsters it is possible to accomplish much. The 
truth of this statement was proved yesterday by the receipt of 
a huge Christmas Ship package from children who attend the 
schools of Woodbine, Illinois. In the package were three 
hundred and fifty-seven articles." 

You simply couldn't stop people from giving. Cheques 
fairly poured in. 

"Among cash gifts received yesterday by the Herald Christ- 
mas Ship department was a cheque for two hundred dollars from 
the Wholesale Grocers' Association of the United States. The 
following letter from Oscar B. McGlasson, president of the 
association, accompanied the cheque: 

' ' ' The wholesale grocers of the United States approve of the 
spirit that prompts the sending of the Christmas Ship and, 
desiring to aid in this good work, I am, as president and by 
authority of the executive committee of the National Wholesale 
Grocers' Association, sending herewith a cheque for two hundred 
dollars, to be used in furthering the work in such manner as is 
thought best.'" 

19 



282 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

Two large boxes containing clothing and toys have been 
filled and sent to the Christmas Ship by the school children of 
Audubon, Iowa. 

"In the making of every gift," says a letter from F. W. 
Johansen, superintendent of the Audubon public schools, "there 
was some sacrifice on the part of the children." 

The Christian Science Distributing Committee wrote me a 
letter offering to make linen scrapbooks containing pictures 
from the children's page of the Christian Science Monitor. 

I very gladly accepted this suggestion, and some wonderfully 
attractive books were the result. Christian Scientists were also 
liberal to the fund through other channels. 

"Rudolph Miller is a big-hearted citizen of Macon, Missouri. 
When he first learned of the Christmas Ship he communicated 
with his daughter Vera, a member of the American Girls of the 
Redpath Lyceum Bureau, and asked her to arrange for a benefit 
concert in Macon. 

"The concert was given, and the share of the Christmas Ship 
amounted to fifty dollars, but Mr. Miller's activity did not cease 
at the conclusion of the concert. He took the proceeds and 
came to Chicago, where he spent the entire day seeking gifts 
he thought would be most appreciated by the children of Europe. 
Then he came to the Christmas Ship department of the Herald 
and reported that he had purchased one hundred and twenty 
woolen garments and twenty-five pairs of shoes. 

No one can estimate the influence of such as this: 
"Grade pupils of the sewing department of the Haines 
Practice School, a Chicago industrial center, will follow reports 
of the ship eagerly, from the time it leaves port. They feel 
confident it will carry about eighty garments made by their 
childish fingers. They realize the joy which has been theirs 
in the making and giving will be reflected in the hearts of the sad 
little European children with whom they sympathize," writes 
a representative of the school. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 283 

At the last we were almost overwhelmed with the rush of 
gifts. 

"Miss Olive May Wilson, Philadelphia's 'Santa Glaus 
girl,' is going to be in the van of those who will aid in sending 
the Chicago Herald's Santa Glaus Ship to war-ridden Europe to 
gladden the hearts of thousands of orphans whose fathers have 
fallen in the mighty conflict now raging there. 

" ' I think that it is one of the finest ideas that I have ever 
heard of, for the children of this great country, in the midst of 
their peace and prosperity, to remember the little ones across the 
ocean who are suffering through no fault of their own, and I for 
my part will do all that I can to help this good work along. 

"Miss Wilson's extremely valuable work in disseminating sun- 
shine last year met with great interest in all parts of the country, 
and she was accorded an interview with President Wilson." 

Miss Wilson was an ideal girl to work for the Ghristmas Ship. 
We were proud to have had her help. 

This is one of the best ideas which came : 

"Hundreds of picture books are to be sent to the children 
of Europe from the pupils of the Hamilton School. The follow- 
ing letter has been received from Miss Elizabeth Parson of the 
school : 

" 'Inasmuch as a majority of the children of Europe do not 
understand the English language, and inasmuch as pictures are 
the universal language for all children, the pupils of the Hamilton 
School of Ghicago are sending as their Ghristmas present to the 
children of Europe hundreds of picture books made by the pupils 
of the school as construction work. 

" 'More than one thousand children have been engaged in 
this work of love, and each child has been encouraged to help 
in some way to extend to the little ones of Europe the Christmas 
spirit.'" 

The generosity of school children was limitless. 
"Superintendent John E. Baggett of the public schools of 
Lake Forest last Wednesday morning asked the children whether 



284 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

they wished to help the Christmas Ship. 'Remember, the time 
until the ship sails is short,' he said. 'If you are going to help, 
you must do so to-day.' And between the time the schools 
closed Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning more than 
one hundred dollars had been collected. Of this amount the 
kindergarten children contributed twelve dollars. 

' ' The entire amount, in accordance with a suggestion given the 
children, was spent for suits of underwear. One hundred and 
sixty suits, for children from five to twelve years of age, were 
bought." 

Sometimes I would just like to photograph our Christmas 
Ship page. It reads like a story out of Arabian Nights, or a fairy 
tale such as we used to believe when we were children. Here is 
one of my Santa Claus Class lessons: 

When I was in Moscow a Russian princess gave a beautiful 
reception for me. As one guest after another came in, the 
whole company spoke the language of the latest arrival. I heard 
seven languages spoken by practically everybody at that one 
reception. 

The Countess Tolstoi and her daughter were there, and they 
spoke perfect English with me, because I could n't speak one 
word of Russian without choking to death. This courtesy to 
the latest comer is one of the beautiful customs of Russia. 

Another thing I observed was that wherever I went, if people 
questioned who I was (for of course they could see that I was a 
foreigner), my guide would say: "Americanski!" And then 
the people would smile at me. I was surprised, for in many of 
the countries I traveled through I found that Americans did not 
get smiles from the inhabitants. 

I asked why this was, and my guide said: "It is because of 
the American wheat ships!" 

You are too young — you children of the Christmas Ship Class 
— to remember that some years ago, when the crops in Russia 
failed, a number of our philanthropic men (can you pronounce 
that word? It means charitable — loving-hearted) loaded wheat 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 285 

on ships and sent them saihng away, across the broad Atlantic, 
through the Mediterranean, up through the Black Sea, until 
they reached Odessa, where they were unloaded and their 
contents distributed to the starving peasants. 

Well, now, if a whole nation continued to be grateful for 
several years for a few shiploads of wheat, what do you think 
will happen when a dozen great countries, stretching across all 
Europe — from Great Britain to Turkey — will have their children 
remembered at Christmas by the children of the Stars and 
Stripes ? 

I think many tears will fall from many millions of eyes, but 
they will be tears of joy. 

So think over the sort of toys and games which will be useful 
as well as amusing, and send those! 

Doubtless there are many big brothers who have shown great 
skill in making elaborate doll houses for little sisters. These 
skillful brothers have taken great pains to cut windows and fit 
in real glass. They have built an upstairs and a downstairs. 
They have put in windows and doors, and I have even seen one 
doll's house with a reservoir on the roof, and a pump, if you 
please, which pumped real water to a kitchen sink. 

I was so delighted with this doll's house that if I had not been 
obliged to go home and write on a book I would have squatted 
myself in front of that kitchen and been playing with that toy 
sink yet. 

I love to play dolls. Don't you? 

When I was a little girl in Atlanta my mother had a doll's 
house built for my sister and me. It was made out of a huge 
dry goods box and had four rooms — two upstairs and two down. 
I must have been an ingenious kid, for I can remember buying 
cheap doll's furniture and upholstering it in black velvet. It 
must have presented a weird appearance, but to my childish eyes 
it stood for splendor unspeakable. 

The dolls who lived there were all china dolls about three 
inches long. The mother, I remember, was named Delphine. 
I have forgotten the father's name, but I distinctly remember 
his clothes. I made them myself, and sewed them fast to his 



286 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

noble form. They were made of dark blue cashmere, and his 
cuffs and the hems of his trousers were edged with white lace. 

You see, I had a vivid imagination even then, for I do not 
believe I ever had seen many real men whose garments were 
similarly adorned! Yet I remember that I was pleased by the 
edge of narrow lace in the bottom of Delphine's husband's 
trousers. And she never complained. 

Their infant daughter was a china doll about one inch in 
length, and I made elaborate clothes for her. I can remember 
fitting her caps on the end of my little finger. 

But the dull, monotonous life of a perfectly healthy baby did 
not satisfy my story-writing mind, for, in order to stir things up 
a little, I had the baby die. I made her a coffin out of stiff white 
writing paper, and painted a wreath on the lid with green paint. 

From somewhere I 'had managed to get some real crepe, and 
I swathed Delphine in the deepest mourning. If she had been 
burying seven husbands and a couple of dozen children, she 
could not have plunged into more violent mourning than I 
provided for her. 

Again, my artistic eye ran away from plausibility and roamed 
in fancy. I was such a sincere player that I worked myself and 
my sister into a frenzy of real weeping as the funeral progressed, 
in the midst of which my father came home from his bank and, 
hearing us crying, came in and most ruthlessly broke up that 
funeral and drove the mourners out to play in the yard. 

It has always remained in my mind as a most unnecessarily 
disturbed function. I was having such fun! It didn't sound 
like it, of course. But I was. 

Oh, indeed I was! Many years have passed since that 
momentous day, but I can see those rooms in that doll house as 
plainly, as I sit writing about them to amuse other children, as 
I could the day I wept my face to quite a satisfying pulp, weeping 
over the grandest doll funeral ever organized to grace a Roman 
holiday ! 

Ah, well, let 's get on with the story ! 

Here is one of our Herald pages : 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 287 

' ' Dr. Frederick R. Smith, imperial potentate of the Order of 
the Mystic Shrine, who is making an official visitation tour of 
the United States, is an enthusiastic supporter of the plan of the 
Christmas Ship. 

' ' ' The thought that the children of America are working to 
carry happiness into the dark corners of the nations at war appeals 
to me as one of the biggest and most disinterested movements 
ever initiated,' he said." 

"E. E. Taylor, editor of the Traer (Iowa) Star-Clipper, is one 
of the newspaper men in Iowa who is doing much for the cause 
of the Christmas Ship. He, however, is not content to pubHsh 
news only of the Christmas Ship in his paper. He is also issuing 
circulars to individuals in the county other than the twelve 
thousand who read the Star-Clipper. As a consequence, practi- 
cally every one in Tama County is a Christmas Ship campaigner." 

"O. M. Heath of the Englewood High School has devised a 
plan to add to the feeling of brotherhood and good will which, is 
sure to result from the sending of the Christmas Ship. Mr. Heath 
has had tags printed which are to be attached to every gift which 
goes from the Englewood High School to children in Europe." 

"Children of the training department of the Wisconsin 
Normal School are planning to send fifty outing flannel petticoats 
and dresses on the Christmas Ship. The boys of the school are 
running errands, raking leaves, and saving their earnings for the 
purchase of the outing flannel, which will be made into children's 
clothes by the girls in their sewing classes." 

"In Deep River, Iowa, hundreds of gifts are being assembled 
under the direction of the Sunday schools and of the Record. 
A. P. Hughes, the editor, has been devoting much of his time to 
the Christmas Ship. He has made addresses before practically 
every organization in Deep River, and his talks and editorials 
have caused much enthusiastic comment, now being turned into 
concrete help for the Christmas Ship." 



288 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

' ' Two hundred and sixty-three dollars and ninety-eight cents 
will purchase a great deal of happiness for a great number of war 
orphans. This amount, the contribution of the school children 
of Clinton County, Iowa, was brought to the Herald office 
yesterday by George E. Farrell, superintendent of schools of 
that county. 

"Mr. Farrell, during his fourteen years as superintendent, 
has earned the reputation of being one who does things. The 
hundreds of children and scores of teachers in the schools of 
Clinton County are proud of Mr. Farrell, and he is just as proud 
of them. When they get together on a project it generally goes 
through with colors flying. 

"Ten days ago Mr. Farrell sent a circular to teachers with a 
request that it be read to their pupils. Each boy and girl was 
asked to take a penny to school to be given to the Christmas Ship 
fund. 

"'We expected sixty dollars in this way,' said Mr. Farrell. 
'But a few hours passed, however, when it was realized a respon- 
sive chord had been struck in the hearts of the children. Before 
the first day had passed much more had been received than we 
expected. Each child brought at least a penny to his teacher, 
and the majority brought more. One school contributed twenty- 
five dollars and forty-six cents.' " 

This is what I wrote about the Clinton County children in the 
Chicago Herald: 

When a plan like the Christmas Ship is inaugurated, which is 
so gigantic and far reaching, we are prone to think results will 
be slow in coming. 

But in Iowa things mature rapidly. 

When Mr. Farrell, county superintendent of schools for 
Clinton County, was in Chicago I had an interesting and instruc- 
tive talk with him. He told me that when he first heard of the 
Christmas Ship he was tremendously taken by what it seemed to 
mean. But he took several days to think it over, and finally 
he sat down and wrote a circular letter, had it printed, and mailed 
it to all his schools. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 289 

Now the teachers in these schools had been complaining that 
the children thought altogether too much about the war. They 
heard it talked over at home, and they came to school reflecting 
their parents' partisanship. 

The boys played nothing but war games. Not infrequently 
they played with too much sincerity, and bloody noses and 
black eyes were the result. 

They fought their battles with due regard to popular prejudice, 
and Germans and allies met in right royal style. 

Suddenly, from out the blue, came the appeal of the Christ- 
mas Ship. The effect on the children was almost instantaneous. 
Fights ceased. No longer was the playground a battle field. 
No longer did certain school pocket handkerchiefs show red. 
No longer did the troops of kaiser and king clinch in battle at 
"big recess." 

Peace was declared! 

And the spirit of the Christmas Ship did it! 

Mr. Farrell says that from the moment his appeal reached 
the children their thoughts were turned away from the darker 
side of war and toward the goodlier blessings of peace. 

I am most grateful personally to Mr. Farrell for obtaining 
so thoroughly what I call the true spirit of the Christmas Ship, 
and spreading it broadcast through the great state of Iowa, 
which has been one of the most active and has responded so 
generously from its every corner to the work of loading our 
Christmas Ship not only with tangible presents, but also with 
its myriad letters received by me, all breathing the spirit of 
"Peace on earth, good will toward men." 

"Galesburg will have a share in the Herald's Christmas Ship. 
The Board of Education has given its consent to the Galesburg 
Woman's Club to present the matter to the city schools. Already 
the Children's Room Association of the Galesburg Hospital, 
numbering one hundred and fifty women, has plans to make 
articles for the little sufferers in Europe. It is also proposed to 
interest the Sunday schools. General cooperation by the children 
is anticipated." 



290 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

This is the story of a "Hve wire," and the loading of the 
Christmas Ship. 

"Parks & Rivers are partners in a business firm of Harve3^ 
lUinois. When the Christmas Ship project was announced more 
than a month ago the heads of the firm set to work. Their 
first step was to place a Christmas Ship advertisement in the 
papers of Harvey and surrounding towns. They appealed to 
the people in that section of Illinois to help work for the ship. 
Since that time one of the members has visited every Sunday 
school, church, and theater in Harvey and vicinity. Recently 
Mr. Rivers led a Christmas Ship rally in the Congregational 
Church. Another night he visited a theatrical performance in 
Harvey. Between the third and fourth acts he mounted the 
stage and addressed the audience on the Christmas Ship." 

"Money continues to come for the Christmas Ship from 
lighthouse keepers in the employ of the United States. The 
second group of donations sent to the Christmas Ship department 
within the last few days was received yesterday from four keepers 
of lighthouses on the Gulf of Mexico. Those who contributed 
are John McNamara, Morgan City, Louisiana, five dollars; and 
C. W. Heartt, Jefferson D. Miller, and Alfred Rodi, one dollar 
each." 

"The workrooms of the Artcraft Institute Guild will be 
thrown open Monday afternoons from now until November 5 
for the use of Christmas Ship workers. ' We have all the equip- 
ment necessary for the manufacture of practical Christmas Ship 
gifts,' said Mrs. T. Vernette Morse, honorary president, yester- 
day. Any one interested may bring material there and so take 
advantage of our facilities.' " 

"Thousands of stores that patronize Butler Brothers have 
started Christmas Ship sales, and hundreds of others daily 
inquire for details of the plan formulated in the sales department 
of the firm. 

"Display and circular advertising are being supplied by the 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 291 

department to every store in the United States that wishes to 
avail itself of the opportunity to conduct Christmas Ship sales. 

"Merchants conducting campaigns state that the larger 
posters suppHed by Butler Brothers are doing much to promote 
the purchase of articles to be sent on the Christmas Ship. 

"The poster is printed in three colors — red, green, and black. 
Across the top of the page are the words, 'Christmas Ship Sale,' 
and beneath them is a picture of the Christmas Ship. The side 
borders and a panel at the bottom picture various gifts and the 
types of children who will receive them. 

"The text of the poster is printed in large letters and is as 
follows : 

" A Christmas Ship is going to sail in a few weeks, under the 
direction of the Chicago Herald, with presents for the thousands 
of war orphans in Europe. 

" 'Don't you wish to send something, and be a Santa Claus 
to at least one of these poor kiddies? 

"'Buy a gift at our store. We'll pack it for you, inclose 
your card, and see that it reaches the Christmas Ship safely 
and on time. 

" 'Let's make the gift cargo heavy.' " 

"Smaller circulars and descriptive literature have been sent 
to two hundred thousand merchants in all parts of the United 
States." 

"Several weeks ago members of President Wilson's cabinet 
sent out circular letters commending the ship project to various 
branches of their departments. 

"One of these letters sent out by Secretary of War Lindley M. 
Garrison was received by First Lieutenant H. S. Brinkerhoff, 
officer in charge of the signal corps general supply depot at Fort 
Wood, Bedloe's Island, New York. Yesterday the Christmas 
Ship editor of the Herald received a cheque for seventeen 
dollars, accompanied by this letter from Lieutenant Brinkerhoff : 

"'Please find inclosed my personal cheque for seventeen 
dollars, the amount of contributions made by employees of this 
depot in response to an appeal issued by you in your letter to 



292 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

the Secretary of War, under date of September ii, 1914, for 
funds to be devoted to the procuring of gifts for the orphans of 
the European war on Christmas Day. 

" 'Every employee of this depot, both civiHan and enHsted, 
tendered his contribution to me, and I am using my cheque 
merely to facilitate the sending of this money to you.'" 

"The Christmas Ship Association of Green Bay, Wisconsin, 
has received a tremendous response to the appeals sent out some 
time ago. The following quotation from a letter written by 
Lucretia Fink, an active worker in the Christmas Ship Association 
and a member of the staff of the Green Bay Gazette, describes the 
spirit with which the campaign has been taken up : 

"'For once all races, all nationalities, and all creeds have 
met on a common plane, without thought of wealth.' " 

"Thirteen hundred dollars for the Christmas Ship is the 
record of the eastern half of Dane County, Wisconsin. Eight 
hundred dollars of this amount was contributed by the rural 
schools of the county's first district, and the remainder by the 
city of Stoughton. 

"Work in the schools was carried on under the direction of 
Sylvanus Ames, county superintendent, who sent a circular 
letter to all county teachers. Seventy-five schools immediately 
plunged into the campaign, told by the superintendent to follow 
any plan deemed advisable. 

"The principal method of raising money was by the promo- 
tion of box socials in county school buildings. These affairs were 
supported enthusiastically by farmers and residents of the 
villages, one social in the town of Pleasant Springs netting 
thirty-five dollars. 

"The campaign in Stoughton was carried on under the direc- 
tion of W. H. Lindereed, chairman of the Stoughton Christmas 
Ship committee and city editor of the Stoughton Daily Courier- 
Hub. Mr. Lindereed, in sending the Stoughton contribution, 
wrote the Herald as follows: 

" 'As chairman of the Stoughton Christmas Ship committee 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 293 

I take great pleasure in reporting that this little city of five 
thousand has raised a cash fund of $509.55 for the Christmas 
Ship. 

" 'In addition, we have received numerous contributions of 
children's garments. Five large boxes of clothing were sent a 
week ago, and since that time we have sent a large quantity of 
merchandise direct to Brooklyn via the Wells Fargo Express Co. 

' ' ' Never have I known of any campaign in this city that has 
met with such cordial and generous response as this one for the 
Christmas Ship. All classes have joined in contributing. 

' ' * Let me thank the Chicago Herald for the part it has played 
in this movement. It is something to be thankful for that we 
have great newspapers that are willing to devote their energies 
and space to things more uplifting than the endless chronicling 
of murders, scandals, and corruption.' " 

Members of the Sunday school of the Congregational Church 
in Grinnell, Iowa, contributed two hundred and twenty dollars 
to the Christmas Ship fund. "We are much pleased that your 
suggestion of a Christmas Ship has met with such hearty 
response," writes H. W. Somers, the superintendent. 

Mrs. Helen Ruhman Ransom of the Centralizing School of 
Music was the one to suggest to the principal, Mrs. Gertrude 
Radle Paradis, that the pupils should give a concert for the 
Christmas Ship. Mrs. Paradis at once consented, and I was in- 
vited to make the address and explain how the idea came to me. 

The concert was one of the most successful given anywhere 
in Chicago. The beautiful auditorium of the school was packed, 
many standing. 

Over a hundred dollars was spent by Mrs. Paradis at the 
wholesale houses, and the purchases were packed and forwarded 
to Bush Terminal direct. 

At the last came the splendid offer of space in the Pugh 
Terminal. Mr. Pugh was, from the first, one of the most enthu- 
siastic in his appreciation of the Christmas Ship idea, and 



294 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

expressed himself as cordially indorsing the Chicago lierald 
for carrying out the plan. 

"An entire section of the Pugh Terminal warehouse, the 
largest building of its kind in Chicago and one of the largest 
structures of its kind in the world, was set aside yesterday as^ 
the central receiving station for gifts for the Christmas Ship. 

"The use of the section, which is capable of holding more 
than forty carloads of merchandise, was the contribution of 
James A. Pugh, president of the Pugh Terminal Warehouse 
Company. It will be ready to receive the gifts to-day. 

"Mr. Pugh returned from Europe only a few weeks ago. 
He went there with his new racing motor boat, the Disturber IV, 
intending to take part in the regatta at Cowes. This was post- 
poned because of the war. While at Cowes, Mr. Pugh observed 
many of the preparations being made for the war — also a number 
of the war's effects. 

' ' * One day a troop ship filled with wounded soldiers came to 
Cowes,' he said. 'What I witnessed on that occasion I am not 
likely to forget for some time. 

" ' In view of the terrible things that are happening on the 
other side of the Atlantic, it is my opinion that the Christmas 
Ship idea is a splendid and humane one. I am glad to help it.' " 

And then came the generous offer of packing boxes : 
"Packing boxes in which the gifts of the children of Chicago 
may be sent to the war children of Europe were contributed 
yesterday to the Christmas Ship," said the Herald. 

"They are the donation of Harry R. Gibbons, president of a 
Chicago box manufacturing and supply company. Mr. Gibbons 
owns the largest box-hauling automobile truck in the city. This 
vehicle, piled high with boxes strong enough to withstand 
the effects of the rolling that even the worst sea can give 
to the Christmas Ship, brought its first load during the day to 
the Christmas Ship section of the Pugh Terminal warehouse." 

' ' Here is a complete list of transportation agencies which have 
volunteered to carry Christmas Ship gifts free: 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 295 

''Chicago, Burlington & Quincy; Chicago, Milwaukee & St. 
Paul; Lehigh Valley; Erie System; Chicago & North Western; 
Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapol's & Omaha; St. Louis & San 
Francisco; Union Pacific System; Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific; 
Chicago Great Western; Great Northern; Goodrich Transit 
(Steamship) Company; Traders' Dispatch (Nickel Plate & 
Lehigh Valley) ; Illinois Central ; Chicago & Eastern Illinois ; 
Chicago, Terre Haute & Southern; Elgin, Joliet & Eastern; 
Minneapolis, St. Paul & Sault Ste. Marie; New York Central 
Lines ; Southern Pacific ; Texas Central ; Trinity & Brazos Valley ; 
Missouri, Kansas & Texas, the 'Katy'; Pennsylvania Lines; 
International Great Northern; Santa Fe; Chicago, Milwaukee & 
Gary; Chicago Tunnel Company; Texas & Pacific; San Antonio 
& Aransas Pass; Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville; Chicago & 
Alton; Northern Pacific." 

Harry S. McVicker, superintendent of the Keokuk County 
(Iowa) public schools, directed an efficient and successful cam- 
paign for the Christmas Ship fund. In a letter inclosing a draft 
for $253.40, Superintendent McVicker wrote to the Herald: 

"We got in at the last moment to do what we could for this 
great charitable movement, and the response has been hearty, 
generous, and overwhelming. Children, teachers, and friends 
have been anxious to give, and we are proud of their generous 
American sentiment. 

"Little baby girls and boys have taken from their savings 
banks. Philanthropic women and old men have surprised us with 
voluntary and spontaneous offerings. Public schools have 
responded liberally. The cooperation manifested has been of 
the universal type that links us all in brotherhood throughout 
the world." 

The following letter from Miss Juanita Elston, a pupil of the 
Nicholas Senn High School, tells of the activity of the sewing 
department in the Christmas Ship work: 

"When the classes met several days ago there were stacks of 
sheep's wool and many yards of daintily figured silkaline, from 



296 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

which baby blankets were to be made for the children whose 
fathers are at war. 

"The girls set to work eagerly, and for two days all the classes 
cut, tied, and bound those dainty little quilts. When we had 
finished we had seventeen of them. The girls of the Senn High 
School hope that at least seventeen babies will be comforted by 
their gifts." 

One of the large drafts received by the Herald for the Christ- 
mas Ship fund was for $509.30, sent by James M. Thompson, 
president and treasurer of the Item Company, publishers of the 
New Orleans Item, one of the leading Christmas Ship newspapers 
in the South. 

In addition to more than two tons of Christmas Ship gifts 
collected in Cleveland by the Cleveland Plain Dealer, that paper 
sent a check to the Herald Christmas Ship fund for $2,387.45. 
This is the largest cash donation received in Chicago. 

From the Herald: 

"The Chicago office of the Methodist Board of Sunday 
Schools has handled one hundred and twenty-five thousand gifts 
for the Christmas Ship, according to the final estimate made last 
night by Miss Helen P. Patten, in charge of the board's Christmas 
Ship Bureau. The number stated is exclusive of thousands of 
packages sent direct to Brooklyn or to the Herald. 

"During the last few days over three hundred large express 
and one hundred freight shipments have been made. These 
consisted of presents packed in large shipping boxes. One 
thousand specially wrapped packages, valued at ten dollars 
each, also were sent by express. Gifts handled in the Chicago 
office are appraised at an amount in excess of thirty-five thousand 
dollars. 

" 'This is a conservative estimate,' said Miss Patten. 'The 
checkers were instructed not to exaggerate in any instance. In 
many cases the value was placed at a figure probably much lower 
than the cost of the articles. ' 

"Many Sunday school workers sent in cash, although no 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 297 

appeal was made for funds. Five thousand, four hundred and 
forty-one dollars and seventeen cents was received by the Chicago 
office. This amount was expended in Chicago for the following 
articles: 1600 sweaters, 136 girls' coats, 400 shawls, 221 chil- 
dren's coats, 72 baby sweaters, 600 pairs of mittens, 400 pairs 
of leggings, 261 flannel shirts, 450 yards of flannel remnants, 
2,544 articles of underwear, 94 baby creepers, 340 rompers, 
227 sleepers, 72 woolen dresses, 200 knit jackets, 1,272 boys' 
blouses, 1,272 pairs boys' trousers, 2,688 knit caps, 1,548 pairs 
of hose, 50 neckties, 494 blankets, and 200 baby blankets. 

"The fund of $5,441.17 does not include any of the money 
received by the Methodist Christmas Ship office at 150 Fifth 
Avenue. Miss Patten stated that she had not learned the exact 
amount received in New York, but that she was convinced that 
it was approximately two thousand dollars." 

"A large consignment of knitted caps and sweaters has been 
contributed by the Lake Superior Knitting Works of Appleton, 
Wisconsin." 

"Six hundred knitted caps sent by the Bradley Knitting 
Company of Delavan, Wisconsin, will be welcomed on Christmas 
morning by the children of the warring European countries. 
W. H. Tyrrell of the knitting company, in a letter to the Herald's 
Christmas Ship department, states that the fifty dozen caps have 
been forwarded to Bush Terminal by the Wells-Fargo Express 
Company." 

"A large consignment of gifts and forty-three dollars in cash 
have been received from members of the Equitable Fraternal 
Union of Neenah, Wisconsin. D. W. Dunham, editor of the 
Friend and Guide, official organ of the order, writes to the Christ- 
mas Ship Editor of the Chicago Herald: 

' ' ' We are proud to have been enrolled among the workers for 
this great humanitarian movement. You are entitled to credit 
for the conception and development of what has become a nation- 
wide effort to relieve the distress and suffering of hundreds of 
20 



298 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

thousands of innocent persons who are in no wise responsible 
for the hellish conflict that is devastating vast areas of land 
and sending millions of vigorous men to the slaughter fields of 
Europe.'" 

"A little homemade scrap book which tumbled out of a gayly 
wrapped package in the Christmas Ship department at the 
Herald office attracted attention. It bore the message: 'This 
book was made by a little girl eight years old. She is interested 
in the Christmas Ship, and this is the best she can give. Hoping 
this will bring pleasure to some little boy or girl. From Sarah 
Gray, 4231 Tower Avenue, St. Bernard, Ohio.'" 

This is what I wrote in praise of the labors of American little 
ones for their European cousins: 

Each day the touching letters come piling in, telling me how 
the smallest members of my Santa Claus Class have earned the 
precious pennies which have gone into the Herald Christmas 
Ship fund. 

Some of the money has been earned in such pathetic ways 
that hardly anything is sufficiently valuable to buy with it. 

How glad I am every penny these children have sent in will be 
used to buy warm clothing for the suffering children across the 
seas! How thankful I am that not one dollar of it must go for 
freight or express or any other expense, for the money has been 
earned in such truly touching ways. 

A child's hand is to me one of the most appealing objects in 
the world — so small, so helpless, yet more powerful in its hold 
on the human affections than anything else on earth. Even the 
sight of a little newsboy offering me a paper in a small hand 
grimed with dirt brings a sting to my eyes and an ache to my 
throat. 

The little hands of children! Clinging blindly to mother's 
hands and mother's skirts, clutching at the hearts and affections of 
grown-ups wherever the soft warmth and dimpled beauty are felt 
or seen. And, lo ! a great ship has been laden by children's hands I 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 299 

Small fingers, never before trained to work, hitherto always 
engaged in play, have halted in preparation for their own Christ- 
mas and turned their inexperienced energy toward making some 
child, bereft and friendless and suffering, happy with an unex- 
pected happiness on Christmas Day. 

The Christmas Ship is the work of children's hands. As it 
sails from its pier next Tuesday, it will carry the most precious 
cargo ever carried from our shores. There are crates and boxes 
and barrels, to be sure, filled with warm clothing and gifts for 
the poor orphans on the other side. But with it all go our chil- 
dren's love and eager childish pity. 

It is a shipload of sunshine and heavenly compassion — that 
compassion which, while it offers sympathy, takes, along with it, 
a way out! 

It is a shipload of beauty and gladness — the joyful giving of 
children in this, their first national Christmas. 

The ship sails! 

What a vision! 

For instead of decks and bulwarks of steel and wood, the 
Christmas Ship is formed of children's beating hearts, and 
fluttering aloft, raised in a universal prayer for peace, are 
myriads of little children's hands. 



o 



CHAPTER XXXIII 
How THE Public Schools Helped 

NE of the stories my Santa Claus Class liked the best was 
the following: 



Seven long weeks have elapsed since I called my Santa Claus 
Class together — seven long weeks of earnest, honest toil for little 
fingers unaccustom^ to work, but working now for a holy 
cause. 

And such splendidly telling work! Work which packs itself 
into boxes, barrels, and crates! Work which crowds big freight 
cars to the door, piles up on trucks, fills express wagons, and 
causes great railroads to sit up and take notice! 

"What under the sun," say the big railroads, rubbing the 
lenses of their headlights, "what under the canopy are all the 
children about, to give us so much extra work?" 

And then the boxes, and barrels, and crates all begin to talk 
at once and tell the railroads who they are and where they 
are going. 

"I," says a big square crate, "I am filled with dozens of pairs 
of shoes and stockings and hoods and mittens. I am packed so 
tight I can scarcely breathe! I am fairly stuffed with flannel 
nightgowns and warm petticoats for the little children of Belgium, 
who have not only lost their fathers but have been separated 
from their mothers, and kind-hearted people have taken them in. 
Think how happy they will be when I unpack myself. Come 
on, Mr. Railroad! Help me to get aboard that big brown 
freight car. I want to be on my way!" 

Then the Railroad, thinking of course that only one box wants 
to ride, says "All right!" and starts to let the crate get aboard. 

But then he hears a shout, and about ten thousand other 
boxes and barrels come tumbling and rolling up, all crying for 
the Railroad to wait and let them get aboard, too. 

With that sight and sound the Railroad begins to wake up. 

300 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 301 

At all connecting points are great freight cars with their 
sides covered with big white signs, saying: 

"On our way to the Christmas Ship!" 

The Railroad blinks his eyes. He thinks of the thousands 
of American children who have worked as I know you must 
have worked, and he thinks of the weary and sad little orphans 
on the other side of the water to whom these wonderful gifts 
are going. Then he goes into the telegraph office and calls all 
the railroads and express offices in the United States, and 
he says: 

"I am not going to take a single ticket from any of these 
boxes and barrels and crates!" 

' ' Ticket ! ' ' answer the other Railroads . ' ' You mean freight ! ' ' 

"No, I don't," says the Railroad. "These boxes are all 
alive! I have heard their heartbeats! They are the hearts of 
our children beating with compassion for the suffering of the 
little orphans of the war! I am going to let them all ride free, 
for they are the Christmas presents of the world!" 

The other Railroads clear their throats and blink their eyes, 
and in very husky telegraph voices they all join in and declare 
that no money is needed to carry the work of my Santa Claus 
Class to the big ship that is waiting for it. 

And the wonderful men — the railroad presidents and vice- 
presidents and general managers and traffic managers — the kind, 
big-hearted men at the head of the express companies — what 
shall we say to them for letting our boxes ride free? 

We can't give them three cheers, but I tell you what we 
can do: Every boy and girl and father and mother who wishes 
to join me in thanking all these wonderful people for their 
princely generosity can take out his pocket handkerchief and 
give these gentlemen the Chautauqua salute! 

There, look at that! 

Did you imagine there were so many white pocket handker- 
chiefs ? 

They look like millions of little fluttering flags of peace! 

God grant that peace may attend the transit across land and 
sea of these, the Christmas presents of the world! 



302 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

The showing made by the pubHc schools of Chicago was 
nothing short of wonderful. Read what the Herald said: 

"When the Christmas Ship sails it will carry among other 
items of its cargo one hundred and ten large packing cases 
containing gifts and messages of love from pupils in Chicago's 
public schools. 

"Six immense packing cases filled with dolls were supplied 
by girls, who fashioned dolls' clothes while at work in the sewing 
classes. The boys were equally busy making dolls' beds and 
furniture in the manual-training departments. 

"Superintendent L. E. Hesse and his assistant, Robert W. 
Stewart, in charge of the School Board's supply department 
warehouse, used the entire sixth floor of the building for the work 
of repacking the 1,288 boxes sent from the city's educational 
institutions. 

"Several days' work by thirty men under the direction of 
Chief Clerk Arthur Holtsberg and P. C. Peters, shipping clerk, 
were required to sort and repack the gifts. 

' ' Only new articles were sent. Articles of the same kind were 
placed in separate boxes, and the contents marked on the cases. 

"Many out-of-town schools near Chicago also made and 
shipped gifts." 

The appended letter tells its own story. It came from the 
Reverend W. Poyskoi, general missionary of the Episcopal 
Church : 

"I take great pleasure in forwarding you the inclosed ten 
dollars toward the Christmas Ship. This contribution comes 
from a little Sunday school in Ralph, which is a community of 
about six families, situated in the heart of the primeval forests 
of the upper peninsula of Michigan. 

"This little Sunday school is maintained through the con- 
secrated labors of a good woman who is a ministering angel to 
all who know her, and who for fourteen years has bravely 
endured the hardships of pioneer life in the rigorous climate of 
this district. 

' ' I pray that the little mite from Ralph Sunday school will be 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 303 

increased a thousandfold, and that your beneficent work will bring 
gladness and joy to the lives of the thousands who are now sad 
and sorrowful in Europe. ' ' 

The vice-president of the United States indorsed the plan of 
the Christmas Ship and sent his personal cheque for twenty-five 
dollars to the Christmas Ship editor. This is his letter: 

"I have no children of my own, but some of my personal 
and political friends have done me the honor to give my name 
to their children. 

"Some of these little ones are not financially able to send 
anything on the Christmas Ship. I know they gladly would do 
so if they could. 

"Will you not take the inclosed cheque and buy for these 
little ones some small gifts for their suffering and sorrowing 
kin across the sea? 

"Sincerely yours, 

"Thomas R. Marshall" 

One of the pleasantest mail-order friendships I made through 
the Christmas Ship was with Mr. Irving G. Bush, whose 
generous offer of Bush Terminal in Brooklyn enabled us not 
only to load the Jason conveniently, but permitted the repack- 
ing and sorting of the gifts. 

I have never met Mr. Bush, but in the rush of arranging final 
details we exchanged frantic and friendly letters and telegrams, 
and it is largely through his courtesy in writing me exactly how 
things went, that I know what the Christmas Ship looked Hke 
when she sailed, for I was not in New York on the sailing day. 

As soon as it became known that space for storing the Christ- 
mas gifts was needed, Mr. Bush offered Bush Terminal. 

The following appeared on the Christmas Ship page of the 
Herald. 

"The avalanche of gifts made Mr. Bush's offer of storage 
space in the Bush Terminal not only timely but also a solution 



304 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

of the situation that might have ended in chaos. The Bush 
Terminal, with its empire-Hke grasp on all shipping problems, 
has the facilities to receive, store, and transmit these gifts with 
the minimum of confusion. 

"Here is a closely knit industrial community that covers 
two hundred acres in South Brooklyn, in direct and immediate 
touch with all the great railroad systems and with docking 
facilities for forty-two lines at one and the same time. The 
Bush Terminal has its own postmaster, its own railroad engines 
and trolley service. 

"A superintendent or assistant says casually the Bush 
collection of piers, warehouses, factory lofts, and trackage 
represents twenty-five million dollars. You see, Mr. Bush did 
not start out to establish a twenty-five-million-dollar business 
community, because he was a healthy-minded idealist whose 
ambition was to implant a tremendous idea in some sand lots in 
South Brooklyn. 

' ' Mr. Bush had inherited these lots, and put up the first unit 
of his plant to the polite amazement of some of his friends. He 
knew and realized transportation was the handmaiden of manu- 
facturing, and that between the mistress and the handmaiden 
there was between two hundred and three hunderd per cent loss, 
representing so much in trucking. 

"When he built the first of his plant they say he went into 
Michigan and bought hay. This hay he had consigned by 
different roads to the new Bush Terminal in Brooklyn. 'Bush 
Terminal,' asked the railroads, 'and where may that be?' They 
found out about the terminal, which was what Mr. Bush desired. 

"As the years went on and the Bush Terminal began to gain 
its tremendous proportions, Mr. Bush developed that great idea 
of his, thinking in units of service and not in units of money. 
He kept and still keeps close tab on the well-being of his 
employees. 

"In Buildings 19 and 20, in which Christmas Ship gifts and 
Red Cross supplies are being stored — space that would cost 
three thousand dollars — is to be found the most striking instance 
of Mr. Bush's condensed Utopia." 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 305 

Milwaukee had responded generously through her citizens, 
but the school children came near being left out. It is always 
the way. At the last of everything there is a rush to do in a 
moment what might have been taken easily except for some 
oversight, but in this case the children rose most manfully to the 
occasion, as is here described in the Chicago Herald. 

"Milwaukee public school children, on a few hours' notice, 
were able to raise more than a thousand dollars for the Christmas 
Ship. A total of $1,140.28 was sent by telegraph to-day to New 
York to aid the movement to bring Christmas cheer to child 
sufferers from the war in Europe. 

"Failure of the Milwaukee schools to do their entire share 
was due to an oversight somewhere in the school department, 
but the authorities were gratified with the result of the emergency 
call for assistance. 

'"This shows,' said Walter Allen, assistant superintendent, 
'that Milwaukee school children were alive to the beautiful 
spirit of the Christmas Ship and were ready to do their part to 
help the children across the ocean.' 

"The School Board last week authorized a collection in the 
schools for the Christmas Ship, but in some manner no notifica- 
tion was sent to the schools. The omission was discovered 
Monday morning, and every school principal notified by tele- 
phone. Each principal then passed the word along to the 
teachers, who took ten minutes of the morning to explain the 
Christmas Ship idea to their charges. The children took up 
their collection in the afternoon. 

"Donations ranging from one cent to one dollar came from 
high school to kindergarten. The money was dropped into a 
box placed in each classroom so that there was no embarrassment 
to those who could not give. The various grade schools col- 
lected from ten to twenty dollars. West Division High School 
raised thirty-five dollars. Philip Lucas of the superintendent's 
ofhce took charge of the fund and forwarded it." 



CHAPTER XXXIV 

The Only Interesting Statistics I Ever Read 

JUST as I prophesied to the Herald editor when I explained 
my plan of a Christmas Ship to him, every express company 
in the United States volunteered to rush belated gifts by their 
fast trains to Bush Terminal. 

"Straining at its moorings as though eager to be on the way," 
said the Chicago Herald, "the Christmas Ship is waiting for the 
message of peace and good will the children of America are 
sending to the war-stricken innocents of Europe. 

"Millions of gifts are speeding across the continent in freight 
and express cars to be loaded in the hold of the ship chosen by 
President Wilson for the wonderful mission. Draw a straight 
line on the map from New York to any part of the United States. 
From every point the line touches, countless gifts are being sent. 

"Railroads and express companies are making every effort 
during these last few days before the ship sails. Tug-boat 
whistles are screaming in the harbor where the Statue of Liberty 
stands as they steam back and forth with lighters loaded with 
freight cars carrying the gifts. The creak of machinery blends 
with the cries of stevedores while the thousands of boxes are 
being swung into Bush Terminal, where they are being held for 
the loading of the ship. 

"Chicago's contribution is one million packages, averaging 
one pound each, or a total of five hundred tons. 

' ' San Francisco has two hundred and fifty thousand packages 
on the way, Philadelphia five hundred thousand, and New York 
has given one million. Five whole carloads are on their way 
to the Pugh Terminal in Chicago, and will be transhipped at 
once to the Bush Terminal in Brooklyn. 

"J. E. Propper, contracting agent for the Erie Railroad, who 
is directing the Christmas Ship traffic east of Chicago, estimates 
that more than four thousand tons are in transit. 

' ' Letters and telegrams giving notice of shipments are pouring 

306 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 307 

in to the Herald office hourly. These are samples of the energy 
and enthusiasm shown: 

" 'Forward to-day thirteen barrels, two hogsheads, forty- 
eight boxes to Christmas Ship, Bush Terminal, New York.' — 
Fort Worth Star-Telegram. 

" 'Apparently all Texas and southern Oklahoma moving 
somewhere since Sunday night; some straight up, west, east, and 
south. Texas will shoot through St. Louis direct to Brooklyn.' 
— Goodman Post. 

I " 'Ship to-night, billed Christmas Ship, care Chicago Herald, 
'C.B.&Q.'— Omaha Bee. 

" 'Waco sends three thousand pounds pecans and peanuts 
for Christmas Ship, going forward by American Express. Com- 
mittee will forward one hundred dollars cash to help complete 
equipment of Christmas Ship.' — Waco Morning News. 

" 'St. Louis sends carload for Christmas Ship valued at five 
thousand dollars, via Pennsylvania. Should arrive November 3.' 
— St. Louis Republic. 

"Telegrams from committees and organizations report that 
because of the short time remaining funds raised will be sent 
to purchase suitable materials instead of buying articles and 
shipping them. 

"Never before has there been so generous and spontaneous 
a response to a humanitarian plan. Men and women in the 
streets of San Francisco, so recently stricken by a terrible calam- 
ity, wept when they saw a procession of trucks carrying cheer 
and good will for the war-darkened homes of Europe. 

"From Maine to California, from Washington to Florida, the 
sublime purpose of comforting the afflicted little ones whose 
fathers and homes have been taken from them by the ruthless 
business of war, had enthusiastic welcome and has brought 
indications that the Christmas Ship may prove the foundations 
of a lasting peace for the coming generation." 

Perhaps one of the most interesting issues of the Herald 
during the whole campaign was the one which gave the contribu- 
tions from the different cities. 



308 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

I quote it intact. I suppose I must have read every word of 
it at least fifty times! 

"Approximately — no one can tell exactly — seven million gifts 
valued at more than two million dollars comprise America's 
response to the appeal of the children's Christmas Ship. Some 
of the Herald men who have been working on the ship insist the 
total number of gifts will be greater by a million, but if so there 
will be that much more joy and thankfulness in the war-ridden 
countries of Europe on Christmas day. 

' ' If the gifts were purchased at retail the value would be much 
more than two million dollars. 

"More than thirty-five thousand dollars in cash has been 
received by the Herald for the ship, and the merchants of 
Chicago have cooperated so generously that for every dollar 
spent there have been received practically two dollars in value. 

"The generous donation of service by the railroads, express 
companies, warehouse owners, teaming corporations and other 
business men who have given freely, probably represents service 
valued at more than two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. 
No vessel could make the delivery trip to be undertaken by the 
United States collier Jason for less than fifty thousand dollars. 
It is due to this generosity of nation, corporation, and individual 
that the cost of handling and forwarding the enormous number of 
gifts — at least seventy carloads — has been kept at a low figure, 

"A complete statement of the fund by Arthur Young & Co., 
chartered accountants, will be furnished by the Herald just as 
soon as it is possible. 

"Never before in the history of the country has there been 
such spontaneous response to an appeal as followed the Herald's 
original announcement two months ago. More than two hun- 
dred newspapers joined the Herald in spreading the movement 
from coast to coast, and millions of children, men, and women 
enlisted in the loading of the ship. 

' ' Miss Lilian Bell certainly started something when she wrote 
to the Herald suggesting the Christmas Ship. 

"By freight and parcels post and express, by steamboat and 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 309 

ferry and van, the vast Christmas Ship freight has been moving 
toward the Atlantic seaboard. From Manitoba, from Sas- 
katchewan, from the Hawaiian Islands, and from Cuba it traveled 
to Brooklyn. 

Seventy-three carloads were followed in their journey across 
the continent by a traffic expert, who sat at the end of a telegraph 
wire in Chicago and checked their passage from town to town, 
from state to state. Thirty-seven carloads originated in con- 
centration centers. 

"In addition to all these the express companies have hauled 
approximately half a million gifts. 

"Sixteen carloads were packed at the Pugh Terminal in 
Chicago and shipped to New York via the Erie Railroad. These 
were followed by four express loads distributed among five of 
the leading express companies. Thus the number of gifts con- 
centrated at the Pugh Terminal within the last two weeks has 
aggregated more than a million. 

"Following are states, cities, and communities that sent a 
carload or more of gifts, or its equivalent in cash: 

Texas 5 New York City 7 

San Francisco 2 Washington, D.C 3 

Philadelphia 2 Portland, Ore i 

Battle Creek, Mich i Cleveland, Ohio 2 

Toledo, Ohio i Des Moines, Iowa i 

Lansing, Mich i Champaign Co., Ill i 

Minneapolis i Omaha, Neb i 

Rio, Wis I St. Louis, Mo i 

Sioux Falls, S.D i Traer, Iowa i 

Dane Co., Wis i South Dakota 5 

"Contributions from a number of other cities ranged from 
one half to three quarters of a carload each. This vast quantity 
of merchandise was collected by newspapers, commercial organi- 
zations, secret and fraternal societies, churches, Sunday schools, 
and more than a million individuals. 

"Towns, cities, and counties in many instances made cor- 
porate contributions; even the United States government, 
through its post offices. War Department, and Department of 
the Interior, assisted in the collection of gifts. 



310 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"Who can compute what the arrival of these milhons of gifts 
will mean to the saddened, hungry, ill-clad women and child 
victims of the war in Europe? Who can say they will not play 
some tremendous unforeseen part in the future history of civili- 
zation? Who dares to reduce to concrete estimates the effect 
this great selfless service will have on the men, women, and 
children of America who united in it? 

"Here are a few stories of the Christmas Ship work as told 
by the editors of sixty odd American newspapers. They are 
reproduced as they were received — in telegraphic form: 

Aberdeen, S. D. : Aberdeen American shipped two packing cases 
and five smaller boxes; 1,500 presents in all: toys and clothing; cash 
donations forwarded, $146. 

Athens, Texas: Three hundred and fifty pounds of gifts; 500 
presents. — Athens Review. 

Baltimore, Md. : Gifts sent Nov. 2 from Baltimore for Christmas 
Ship through Just Government League of Maryland amounted to 
little over three wagonloads, six large packing boxes, fifty smaller 
boxes, thirteen bags and about three barrels; thirty-five of the smaller 
boxes and the bags contained canned goods and groceries; the rest 
clothing and toys. — Evening News. 

Battle Creek, Mich.: Battle Creek's response to Christmas 
Ship through Journal is magnificent. Already more than $300 have 
come in and nearly a carload of provisions and clothing; money 
and other contributions still poiiring in. We ship first installment 
to-morrow. — Journal. 

Big Springs, Texas: Big Springs' contribution to Christmas 
Ship was 1,000 one-half pound sacks of peanuts. — Herald. 

Birmingham, Ala.: Christmas Ship gifts sent through the 
Birmingham News weighed approximately 2,000 pounds. Impossible 
to judge individual niimber, as several large boxes were packed by 
Sunday schools outside city. Probably himdreds of presents in seven- 
teen boxes. Two largest boxes contained clothing from large firms 
here. Cash amounted to $266.60. — News. 

Bloomington, 111.: Bloomington sends two large packing cases 
and $157.73 cash. In addition many packages were sent direct by 
citizens. — Pantagraph. 

Brenham, Texas: Half -ton Christmas Ship gifts from Brenham. 
Mostly peanuts and pecans; $25 cash; 500 contributors; 2,000 pres- 
ents. — Banner Press. 

Burt, Iowa: One thousand articles; 300 packages; value $400. 
— Monitor. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 311 

Calimar, Iowa: Christmas Ship cargo one box, one barrel, ten 
dozen articles winter clothing. — Courier. 

Cedar Falls, Iowa: Eleven drygoods boxes wearing apparel for 
women and children; 1,500 individual presents; $202.50. — Gazette. 

Chicago: Four boxes sent Monday. — Collier's Weekly, Chicago 
Office. 

Cleveland, Ohio: One and one-haJf carloads of gifts were sent 
from Cleveland to Christmas Ship. Approximately 100,000 givers, 
including fund contributors. Donations largely new clothing for 
children and babies and many toys. Check for $2,387.45 mailed to 
Herald. — Plain Dealer. 

Clifton, lU. : Sent 270 pounds underwear, sweaters, caps, socks, 
mittens, and shoes. — Advocate. 

College Station, Texas: Students sent 1,000 pounds bulk peanuts 
via Houston; ladies, $34 assorted boxed presents via Bryan. — Datallion. 

Dallas, Texas: Dallas' contribution to the Christmas Ship 
approximates half a carload. About five hundred people, mostly 
children, contributed pecans, peanuts, toys, and clothing. — Times- 
Herald. 

Decatur, 111. : Decatur and Macon county gifts made half a 
carload, estimated number 5,000, largely clothing, toys, candy, and 
foodstuffs . — Herald. 

Detroit, Mich.: Times is sending foiu" large cases via American 
Express, consisting of 1,000 suits of underwear, 656 sweater coats, 
204 stocking caps, 1,000 pairs stockings, 1,000 pairs gloves, and 
numerous miscellaneous articles. — Times. 

Deep River, Iowa: Three boxes, 280 potmds, comprising about 
175 individual presents, clothing generally, and $21.50 in money. 
— Record. 

Des Moines, Iowa: One carload of gifts from Go-Hawks Happy 
Tribe. Approximate niunber gifts from Happy Tribe children, 4,000, 
including clothing, food, toys. — Capital. 

Dubuque, Iowa: Dubuque contributed 2,100 packages to Christ- 
mas Ship. Contents largely clothing and gifts for children. Forty 
per cent gifts to Belgitim, remainder distributed equally to Germany, 
France, Russia, England, Ireland, and Austria. — Times-Journal. 

Ellenburg, Wash.: Citizens of Ellenburg, through City Federa- 
tion of Club Women, contributed $137.50. — Evening Record. 

Erie, 111. : Three boxes shipped. Goods to value of $400. — Inde- 
pendent. 

Eau Claire, Wis.: Twelve hundred pounds goods shipped to 
Christmas Ship. Chiefly wearing apparel, new clothing, shoes, caps, 
mittens, woolens, for children. Individual gifts, including school 
children donations, must have totaled 1,500. — Leader. 



312 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

Fairmont, Minn. : Two boxes, weight 200 pounds. Two hundred 
and eighty-nine individual packages, mainly clothing, books, and 
toys, value $174. Drafts mailed aggregating $158.07. — Sentinel. 

Fond du Lac, Wis.: Four boxes, 460 poimds, 400 donors, 700 
gifts, mostly underwear, sweaters, hoods, shoes. Additional cash 
gift, $113. — Daily Commonwealth. 

Fort Worth, Texas : Approximately carload sent. Four thousand 
packages from Cleboume. Individual presents approximately 30,000, 
mainly nuts, toys, and clothing. — Star-Telegram. 

Franklin Grove, 111.: Amount of merchandise sent to Christmas 
Ship comprised two boxes 3 feet by 4 feet. Clothing and toys included. 
Value of total gifts, $125. Also $32.75 in cash. — Reporter. 

Gibson City, 111.: Methodist Sunday school has donated to the 
Christmas Ship goods valued at $50 and $35 in cash. Other offerings 
were individual and have been reported to the Herald direct. Guthrie, 
suburb, gave $10. — Courier. 

Green River, Wyo. : Green River sent fourteen packages of 
clothing and dolls and seven packages of frmt. Cash contributed 
$91.46. — Star. 

Hamilton, Ohio: Gifts from Hamiltonians through Republican 
News to Christmas Ship weighed over 1,300 poimds and occupied 
over third of car. There are about 350 toys for children, forty boys' 
suits, and assorted clothing for men, boys, women, and children. 
— Republican News. 

Hillsboro, Texas: Hill County sent six large cases containing 
2,000 individual packages of Texas pecans weighing about eight oimces 
each. In addition there were several packages of imderwear, shoes, 
and wearing apparel. — Evening and Weekly Mirror. 

Houston, Texas: One car from Houston Post. 35,000 packages 
of peanuts, 5,000 pecans, twenty-nine himdred-pound bags rice, 500 
bags com meal, 200 cans sorghtim, three cases condensed milk, 1,000 
pairs children's woolen stockings filled with nuts, 200 poimds beans, 
100 old men's two-piece underwear, twenty-five suits small boys' 
clothing, twenty-five pairs girls' shoes, two gross women's stockings; 
fifty packing cases 4 by 4, from various Houston Christmas Ship 
clubs, Sunday schools, and societies containing women's and children's 
clothing, toys; equal number small boxes. My estimate, 75,000 
different packages from Houston and fully 1,000,000 from entire 
state. 

Sixty-eight newspapers first responded, but believe before Nov. i 
every newspaper in state carried at least one story, and 200 com- 
mercial bodies and fifty banks assisted. Line drawn from Texarkana 
through Denison, Memphis, Coleman, Sweetwater, Big Springs, El 
Paso, Laredo, Brownsville, Neville, Victoria, Cuero, Port Lavaca, 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 313 

Brazoria, Angleton, Houston, Beaumont, Port Arthur, Nacogdoches, 
Timpson, Tyler and Jefferson will include Texas contributing territory. 
Area large as Germany. Concentration points, Star-Telegram, Fort 
Worth; Morning News, Waco; and Enterprise, Clebiime; Commercial 
Club, Coleman; the El Paso Herald; the Commercial Club, Cuero; 
the Commercial Club, San Antonio; the American, Austin; the Houston 
Post, Houston, where carload shipments were made up. 

Railroads, Texas Central, Fort Worth & Denver, the "Katy, " 
the Santa Fe, the Southern Pacific, the Trinity-Brazos Valley, the 
International Great Northern, the San Antonio and Aransas Pass; 
the Wells-Fargo and the American Express companies. 

All wearing apparel new, contributed mostly for Belgium. 

Biggest newspaper stunt ever pulled in Texas. — Post. 

Jackson, Minn.: Jackson Pilot sent 379 pounds Christmas gifts 
by express on Oct. 28, about 1,200 presents, mostly children's cloth- 
ing. — Jackson County Pilot. 

Lansing, Mich.: Three great truckloads, containing thousands 
sweaters, caps, underwear, stockings, and toys. — State Journal. 

Lexington, Ky. : Hundred pounds sent for Christmas Ship; 
about 100 presents; toys, canned fruit, and clothing. — Leader. 

Mineral Wells, Texas: Christmas shipment about 500 pounds; 
himdred individuals, largely pecan nuts placed in stockings. Warm 
clothing for children. — Index. 

Minneapolis, Minn.: Christmas gifts from Minneapolis Civic 
and Commercial Association, one half carload divided; one fifth toys, 
three fifths children's wearing apparel, one fifth women's clothing. At 
least 3,000 pieces. — Tribune. 

Moline, 111.: MoHne sent wearing apparel for Christmas Ship 
valued at $1,000; suits for boys, dresses for girls, underwear, stockings, 
caps, shoes, hats. Ever3rthing new and of good quality. Also some 
toys and candy and $99.03 cash. — Dispatch. 

Muskogee, Okla. : Nine boxes and large package containing 
gifts for Christmas Ship went forward to Bush Terminal by American 
Express as Muskogee's and eastern Oklahoma's contribution to the 
orphans of the Em-opean war. Believe you will find this shipment 
one well worth while. Contains many toys, but also much clothing 
and many useful gifts. Goods are new. Collected by the Phoenix 
in practically a little less than week's campaign. Few small packages 
will follow by express to-morrow. — Daily Phoenix. 

New York: The way donations are coming in now we expect 
to have about seven carloads before the end of this week. We cannot 
tell you the number of separate packages. Most of the stuff comes 
in big packing boxes. For instance, to-day we got $5,000 worth 
of blankets offered to us for the receiving ship. The general character 

21 



314 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

of the goods delivered is wami clothing for women and children. As 
a matter of fact there are very few toys. We have preached it into 
the public to send nothing but useful presents, and they must be new 
and we believe they are.' — World. 

Omaha, Neb.: Omaha sent a mammoth carload, containing 148 
big packing cases, sixteen smaller boxes, two barrels, and two bales 
of gifts, in addition to more than 5,000 pounds express. Clothing, 
shoes, and underwear predominated. — Bee. 

Osage, Iowa: News sent abroad 1,100 pounds of presents and 
$20.50 cash in addition to about 1,000 individual packages containing 
small articles of clothing, some canned goods, and few toys. — News. 

Ottawa, 111.: Christmas Ship shipments aggregated 1,000 potmds, 
including 1,000 articles, mostly clothing and shoes for children; some 
toys. — Republican Times. 

Owosso, Mich.: Owosso sent eleven large boxes and several 
smaller ones; individual presents number about 5,000, mostly wearing 
apparel. Few toys. — Press- American. 

Parker, S.D.: Parker's contribution to Christmas Ship shipment 
two drygoods boxes clothing, dressgoods, toys, games, dolls, etc., 
given by school children. Some children wrote Christmas notes. 
Approximately 300 articles. Some cash subscriptions, spent for 
clothing . — Press-Leader . 

Peoria, 111.: Sent ten big drygoods boxes. About 3,000 in- 
dividual gifts. Minimum value, about $2,000. Money collected, 
$101. — Journal. 

Philadelphia, Pa.: The Child Federation, acting for us, has 
shipped to the Bush Terminal 175 cases, making two carloads, for 
Christmas Ship. Several additional packages sent by express. Cases 
include 116,732 individual gifts. Four cases containing toys; others 
new clothing for children, from birth to sixteen years. Shoes, stockings, 
coats, suits, dresses, sweaters, knit hoods, baby outfits, hats, etc. 
— North American. 

Pipestone, Minn.: Pipestone's two Christmas Ship boxes con- 
tained gifts for 200. Women's and children's sweaters, shoes, mufflers, 
caps, mittens, etc. No candy or toys in shipment. All new articles 
bought at stores day of shipment. — County Star. 

Pittsburgh, . Pa. : Pittsburgh sends 35,000 gifts. — Press. 

Portland, Ore. : Sent Union Pacific baggage car filled to capacity. 
New clothing, toys, candy, and fruit. — Journal. 

Prairie du Chien, Wis. : Goods sent were one big box of clothing 
and $10 cash. No individual presents. — Courier. 

Racine, Wis.: Boxes; about 30 individual gifts; toys, clothes, 
and some money. — Journal. 

Rio, Wis. : Shipped one box car clothing and toys. — Badger Blade. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 315 

Rock Island, 111. : Rock Island shipped out 500 pounds of goods, 
consisting of first-class material, and sent a contribution of $232 in 
cash. — Argus. 

Salt Lake City, Utah: Salt Lake and Utah sent sixteen packing 
cases, about four feet square and weighing 3,002 pounds, or about 
one third carload. Gifts mostly clothing, shoes, socks, and other 
useful articles; nimiber not available. — Herald-Republican. 

San Francisco, Cal. : Four largest sized baggage cars filled. 
Eleven great truck loads first consignment. Quarter million individual 
gifts. Five hundred and twenty packing cases clothing, toys, blankets, 
etc. School children alone gave 100,000 gifts. Offerings came from 
social, civic, and religious organizations, individuals, and schools. 
— Chronicle. 

Sioiix Falls, S.D.: Total shipment by Press from Sioiix Falls 
about one car. South Dakota probably sent four cars. Sioux Falls 
shipments mainly clothing, stockings, mittens, caps, etc. About 
5,000 articles. — Press. 

Stoughton, Wis.: This city of 5,000 has raised a cash fimd of 
$509-55 • In addition received numerous contributions of children's 
case ents. Shipped five boxes clothing, shoes, and blankets and one 
garmof condensed milk. No other soliciting campaign ever met with 
such cordial response here. — Courier-Hub. 

St. Louis, Mo.: St. Louis sent $5,000 carload to Christmas Ship. 
Must be about 750 individual presents in sixty cases sent, containing 
toys, clothes, shoes, candies, canned fruits and vegetables, canned 
goods. Quite a favorite with St. Louis. — Republic. 

Syracuse, N.Y.: Syracuse Herald shipped hali carload substantial 
gifts, clothing, supplies; raised also $1,132.32 cash. About 375 cash 
gifts and 200 contributors clothing. Total contributors cash, probably 
800, many giving together. — Herald. 

Sheboygan, Wis.: Fourteen large boxes shipped; number of 
gifts 500, mostly wearing apparel. — Press. 

Traer, Iowa: Tama County sent approximately $600 in cash 
and seven large boxes of merchandise, containing mostly bedding and 
clothing for women and children. Warm garments for children pre- 
dominate . — Star-Clipper . 

Terrell, Texas. Sent by Commercial Club at Terrell to Christmas 
Ship, 871 quart bags of peanuts; also $15 cash to Red Cross. — Com- 
mercial Club. 

Texarkana, Texas: Shipment for Christmas Ship gone forward 
from this city representing $1,000 in value. Represents offering from 
children of public schools, Sunday schools, and private families to- 
war orphans of Europe. — Texarkanian. 

Trenton, Mo. : Expressed 850 pounds, Adams Express to Chicago;, 



3i6 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

240 pounds, American Express to Brooklyn. Ninety-eight per cent 
clothing. Sixteen hundred individual packages. Mailing approxi- 
mately $ 1 50. — Republican-Times. 

Waco, Texas: Waco sent 2,500 pounds pecans and peanuts, 
bulk of them in small packages, about 3,000 in number, and $102.82 
in cash to the Christmas Ship. — Waco Morning News. 

Washington, D.C. : Washington's shipment filled one forty-foot 
car to capacity. One thirty-six-foot car goes Thursday. Approxi- 
mate weight 25,000 pounds. Ninety per cent of shipment is clothing 
of all lands for boys, girls, women; balance, toys; ten cases shoes 
included. Approximately 14,000 individual contributors, aside from 
those who gave cash. Clothing nearly all new. My instructions to 
contributors were if even single button was off garment article would 
be rejected. More than 50 per cent of all contributors expressed 
desire gifts be sent to Belgians. 

Am informed by Department of Commerce cash contributions 
of $1,100 is on way to Star from children of Hawaii. If it gets here 
in time will be used buying clothing, etc., in New York for Jason. 
— Daily Gazette. 

Worcester, Mass.: We have shipped two big freight carloads; 
Nov. 3 and 4 six to eight more cases went by express. Individual 
presents numlDered, we estimate, nearly 250,000, as 50,000 to 75,000 
people took active part and every bundle or box contained very many 
gifts. General character of gifts excellent. Toys and great quantity 
of new wearing apparel, especially for babies and small jchildren. 
— Evening Post. 



CHAPTER XXXV 

How THE Enthusiasm of Pittsburgh Expressed Itself 

IF you were to read the story of the Christmas Ship work as 
it really took place in all the cities at once, my pages would 
be the size of a billiard table and we would use the parallel 
column system. 

I have saved the campaign of the Pittsburgh Press until the 
last, because I have a sense of dramatic values. It was most 
brilliant and spirited. 

Mr. W. H. McVicker was made Christmas Ship editor. He 
made such an excellent one that the Press sent him on to New 
York two weeks before the Jason sailed, and he sent back the 
most interesting of stories from there. 

Letters written by prominent persons to the Christmas Ship 
editor of the Pittsburgh Press: 

"I cordially approve of the Christmas Ship idea. I approve 
of anything that shows sorrow and sympathy for the unfortun- 
ate. These gifts, when sent, will do as much good for those who 
send them as for those who will receive them. The movement 
is one in which all should join. The little children of this coun- 
try who in this way are taught kindness to their little sisters 
and brothers who are in such misfortune, will benefit all their 
lives by the lesson. 

"Andrew Carnegie" 

"Your letter in connection with the Christmas Ship idea is 
now before me. I have read the letter of the originator of the 
plan. I am tremendously impressed by it. So much so that 
you can count on me to do all within my power to influence the 
children of my parish. I am also writing to thank the Christmas 
Ship editor of the Herald for her letter — which is really a sermon 
that searches one's heart and also demonstrates that we men 
who have given our lives to the ministry of the Greatest Friend 

317 



31 8 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

of the boys and girls — we have hardly begun to teach the chil- 
dren, while they are such, to practice acts of unselfishness. We 
have rather gone in the other direction — giving, giving, giving 
to the boys and girls, and thus stirring up their selfish tendencies. 
How can we expect the men and women of to-morrow to be con- 
siderate of others unless we materially change our tactics in 
dealing with the young under our care? The Christmas Ship 
idea is one of the greatest lessons that we can inculcate, 
"Very truly yours, 

"William Porkess, 
"Rector of Grace Episcopal Church" 

"Your letter relative to Christmas gifts for the children of 
Europe to hand. 

' ' No greater thought ever took concrete form than that which 
engenders the good and friendly spirit toward the orphan child 
throughout Europe. It is an expression of love and sympathy 
born of a true heart, who long ago said, 'It is more blessed to 
give than to receive.' 

"With best wishes for a hearty and generous response to 
your noble appeal, I am, 

"Fraternally yours, 

" M. Arthur Spotts, 

"Pastor, St. Marks English Evangelical Lutheran Church" 

' ' I have read the wonderfully effective letter of the Christmas 
Ship editor of the Herald and think it most admirable. 

" It is a happy thought to engage the enthusiastic interest of 
children by suggesting that they convert themselves into 'Kris 
Kringles,' and thus bring joy to countless hearts on the birthday of 
Him who took little children in His arms and blessed them. 

"Very truly yours, 

"COURTLAND WHITEHEAD, 

"Bishop of Pittsburgh" 

"It will glorify the childhood and brotherhood of man, and 
the Prince of Peace in a sentence 'writ in water' clear across 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 319 

the sea. But the writing will stand to all eternity in civilization 
and in God's book of remembrance. 

"John Royal Harris, 
"Pastor, Shady Ave. Presbyterian Church" 

"The idea of sending a ship full of toys, clothing, and gifts 
of all kinds to the children of Europe made orphans by the war, 
is certainly a beautiful idea, and should bring happiness and 
blessing in its train. Every child who helps make the load of 
the Christmas Ship bigger will realize an additional happiness 
from the happiness he or she is bringing to the dear little 
orphan. 

' ' God bless this Christmas Ship ! May it do more good than 
even its promoters anticipate. 

"Mrs. John H. Armstrong, 

"President, Congress of Women's Clubs of 

Western Pennsylvania" 

"A ship full of toys from America's children to Europe's 
orphans — 't is a happy thought that must have been born in 
heaven right near the Prince of Peace. Yes, let the precious 
cargo be heavy — heavy as the good ship can bear — and may 
the angel of God's mercy attend and carry each gift to the soul 
that needs it most. 

"S. S. Baker, 
"Assistant District Superintendent" 

"Having read the appeal to the children of America, I am 
sure the Christmas Ship enterprise is one of the most humane 
that has been inaugurated in years. The Pittsburgh Press de- 
serves great credit for its prompt action in this great cause. 

"I am at your service to help this great movement with all 
my heart. 

"Yours humanely, 

"James S. Bell, 
"Supt., Western Pennsylvania Humane Society" 



320 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"A shipload of toys sent by the happy, prosperous children 
of America to bring at least a ray of sunshine and a little Christ- 
mas cheer to thousands of children far across the sea! Truly 
the idea is a splendid one, and worthy of all commendation. All 
credit to the one who conceived the idea and to the great news- 
papers which are helping to carry it out. That it will be a grand 
success, no one who believes in the teachings of the Master can 
for a moment doubt. 

" H. L. Roberts, 
''Secretary, The Animal Rescue League" 

"I have read the appeal to the children of America with 
much interest and not without emotion. 

" It is a beautiful idea, and one which I most heartily approve. 
I am sure that every child who sends a Christmas gift to the 
orphan children of Europe will receive as well as bestow a blessing. 
The plan appeals to me very strongly. 

"Frank W. Sneed, 
"Pastor, East Liberty Presbyterian Church" 

That the children of America should send toys and Christmas 
cheer to the little tots of foreign lands made desolate by the 
havoc of war is indeed a beautiful idea. By all means encourage 
the children to do this. It will serve as a never-to-be-forgotten 
lesson in sympathy, self-denial, and generosity, 

"Mrs. William D. Hamilton, 
"President, Twentieth Century Club" 

"Your letter, with that of the Christmas Ship editor of the 
Chicago Herald, was read before the executive board of the 
Pittsburgh Teachers' Association this week. They desire me 
to say that her plan, as well as yours, meets with their hearty 
approval. We shall be pleased to do all in our power, with the 
sanction of the board of control, to join you in teaching 
objectively the true Christmas spirit. 

"Cora Miller Fraser, 
"President, Pittsburgh Teachers' Association" 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 321 

"The gracious and happy thought that prompted the 
Christmas Ship editor of the Chicago Herald to start a movement 
to provide Christmas cheer for the children of Europe made 
orphans by the war will certainly commend itself to all warm- 
hearted and noble-spirited men and women. It will give to 
our children an opportunity to learn the pleasure of giving, 
to awaken a sympathy for those in trouble, and to inculcate 
in them a love for peace. 

" ' There 's a space for good to bloom in 
Every heart of man or woman. ' 

"Very truly yours, 

" Chas. Reisfar, Jr., 
"Director, Dept. of Compulsory Attendance, 

Board of Public Education" 

"I have received a copy of Miss Lilian Bell's appeal 'To 
the Children of America,' announcing the fact that the children 
of America are about to send a ship full of toys and other Christ- 
mas gifts to the children of Europe made orphans by the war. 
"The letter, independent of its religious aspect, is one that 
awakens the tenderest sympathies of all humanity regardless 
of creed or color. It is a practical and tender suggestion of 
the common brotherhood of all mankind. 

"Yours sincerely, 

"JosiAH Cohen. 
"Judge of Common Pleas, Courts of Allegheny Co." 

"The nobleness of purpose that prompts such action thrills 
me. God speed the Christmas 'Ship of Love'! Here's my 
hand and heart to her who first conceived and suggested this 
Christ-like deed, and to the splendid Pittsburgh Press, for its 
hearty cooperation, thereby making it possible for the kindly 
disposed of this great city to respond, and yet be relieved of 
the burden that transportation of the gifts must surely impose 
during this terrible European war. 

' ' Sincerely, 

"J. Alex. Agnew" 



322 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"The Christmas Ship editor of the Chicago Herald should 
have the thanks of all lovers of children (and who does not 
love them?) for the happy thought of putting forth an idea 
that will bring joy untold to thousands of dear children across 
the seas. 

"All honor to the Pittsburgh Press and the other newspapers 
in the plan, for causing at least a ray of sunshine in those 
desolate homes. 

"Very truly yours, 

"Samuel Andrews, 
"Assistant District Superintendent" 

The following splendid letter came from Pittsburgh's mayor : 
"The Christmas Ship project of the Pittsburgh Press and 
two hundred other newspapers throughout the United States, 
by which one million or more war orphans of Europe will be 
made happy during the Yuletide season, is one of the grandest 
and most commendable enterprises ever originated. That it 
will meet with success is my earnest wish and belief. A more 
noble project would be hard to imagine, and it is not to be 
wondered that millions of children in this country are now at 
work in an unselfish endeavor to share some of their Christmas 
joys and happiness with the little tots across the great Atlantic. 
The indorsement of the plan and donation of a ship for the 
transportation of the gifts by the United States government 
is another proof of the hold this great project has taken on 
the hearts of our countrymen. 

"The Christmas Ship has my hearty cooperation, and I 
hope and believe it will form a binding tie between this country 
and those which are now in the throes of the greatest and most 
terrible war in the history of the world." 

In a private letter to me, Mr. McVicker has said that he 
never wrote on any subject which so stirred his enthusiasm as 
on the time he spent in New York watching the scenes at the 
Bush Terminal, and he was kind enough to express a wish 
that I, too, might have seen the wonderful sight. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 323 

Mr. Bush also wrote me, saying the same, as did Mrs. 
Leonard Wood. But I am fortunate in having Mr. McVicker's 
stirring descriptions of the activities I can easily imagine I saw. 

I believe one of my chief regrets for not having been in 
New York to see my Christmas Ship sail was the fact that I 
could not view the flag, which was part of my vision on August 
the 27th, flying from the masthead under the Stars and Stripes, 
those two flags embodying the most complete idea of practical 
compassion a neutral nation has ever sent forth in the history 
of the world! 

Think of their meaning! The Stars and Stripes meant our 
country, free, at peace, and neutral; while the flag of the Christ- 
mas Ship, with its white ground for Peace, its gold star of Hope, 
and its motto, "Inasmuch," signified that the compassion 
every man, woman, and child felt for the innocent sufferers 
of the world's most useless and most terrible war had taken 
form, and under this blessed emblem was sailing forth over 
troubled seas, with danger on every side and even from the 
sky above, to shed its beneficence in every forgotten home on 
Christmas Day. What a sight the Christmas Ship must have 
been as she sailed away! 

This story of Mr. McVicker's, written on November 6, 
shows that the Lawtons got the full significance of the way 
the entire work had been done all over the country. 

"So rapid is the delivery of gifts for the war orphans of 
Europe, at the Bush Terminal, Brooklyn, that arrangements 
were completed to-day for an additional detail of forty United 
States soldiers from Fort Hamilton and a squad of one hundred 
marines from the Brooklyn Navy Yards. 

"When it was found that the detail of forty-eight privates 
and eight non-commissioned officers who were put to work 
yesterday was insufficient to handle all the presents. General 
Leonard Wood, commander of the Department of the East, 
was again appealed to with the above result. He went fur- 
ther in his offer, however, saying that should the ninety-six 
soldiers and one hundred marines prove too small a force. 



324 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

as many more men as necessary would be detailed on the work, 

"Major F. H. Lawton, who is in charge of the soldiers 
working in the Bush Terminal, is of the energetic and tireless 
type of man best fitted for a project of this kind. Many years 
of his life have been devoted to similar enterprises. He was 
placed in charge of the relief work during the big San Francisco 
earthquake, and in 191 2 was sent to New Orleans by the govern- 
ment to look after and take care of the sufferers from the great 
flood of that year. He has seen service in all parts of the world, 
having taken part in the Spanish-American War, and the Boxer 
uprising in China, and for some time was stationed at the 
Panama Canal. 

"He is being ably assisted by his wife, who insists upon 
going to the Bush Terminal daily. From early morning until 
late at night she may be found among the packers, working 
with feverish energy. She was completely overcome this after- 
noon by a message discovered in one of the packages she opened, 
and was found by her husband softly weeping over the pitiful 
note pinned to a set of baby's garments. 

"Here is a message from the little inmates of the Home of 
the Friendless, East Park Way, Northside, who so unselfishly 
gave up their toys, their only possessions in the world, for the 
European war orphans. While unpacking and assembling some 
of the thirty-five thousand gifts sent here by the residents of 
Pittsburgh and surrounding towns through the Pittsburgh Press, 
the worn dolls and toys donated by the Northside waifs were 
found. The soldier who had unpacked the huge case immediately 
placed them on the pile of used articles, many of which it will 
be impossible to send abroad. 

"Finding them there, the writer immediately told Major 
Lawton the manner in which they had been sent, and the un- 
selfish sacrifice made by the little tots. The story touched the 
big heart of the grizzled warrior, and with his own hands he 
took the score of toys from the pile where they had been placed 
and deposited them in a packing box containing several hundred 
brand new toys which had been shipped in. 

" 'I wouldn't have had those toys left behind for anything 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 325 

in the world,' said the major. 'In my estimation, that donation 
is the biggest and most valuable that has been received here 
to date. When I think of what great sacrifices those little 
waifs made, my heart is touched. I will personally see that 
the box in which they have been placed is among the first to 
be lowered into the hold of the Christmas Ship.' 

"Later in the evening, at the home of Major Lawton and 
his wife on Governors Island, Mrs. Lawton asked about the 
wonderful gift that came from Pittsburgh, her husband hav- 
ing told her the most valuable donation had been sent from 
the Steel City. When she heard of the sacrifices made by 
the little friendless children, prompted by a story of the Christ- 
mas Ship told them by a kind-hearted woman, she wept like 
a child. 

"Another touching incident came to light to-day. In 
114th Street, New York, there resides a little girl whose mother 
is grievously ill. Owing to this, the little girl feared that the 
present she had prepared for a little war orphan might not be 
delivered in time to be placed on board the Christmas Ship. 
Getting up early to-day, she started downtown with the package 
safely tucked under her arm. Having only ten cents, she was 
unable to ride downtown, but walked the entire distance from 
114th Street to the Battery. Here she inquired as to what 
ferry would take her to Bush Terminal in Brooklyn, and upon 
being directed to the 39th Street Station, she shoved five cents 
through the ticket window. She sank down on a bench on the 
ferry, completely exhausted. Arriving in Brooklyn, she went 
ashore and dragged her weary feet to the Bush Terminal, and 
handed her gift over to Major Lawton. 

"She then started to return, but after making a few steps 
she sank down upon the packing cases with which the place 
is strewn and began to cry. When asked as to the cause of 
her sorrow she told what she had done. In an instant at least a 
hundred men offered her carfare to return, which she refused. 
After much persuasion, however, she accepted ten cents to use 
for carfare from the Battery to her home. To-night there is no 
doubt that she is the happiest little girl in Greater New York." 



326 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

I find that I get just as excited in re-reading for the ninth 
or tenth time the stories I am using in this book as I used to 
be when I was working day and night on the original story 
of the Christmas Ship. 

It never loses its charm for me — never grows stale — and 
I can cry just as hard over its pathos to-day, and whenever I 
read it, as I did when everything was news which must be got 
into to-day's paper or it would be a gray -headed left-over, 
twenty-four hours old, and therefore suitable only for monthly 
magazines, or a bound book! 

Here is another of Mr. McVicker's excellent written articles^ 
dated November 7 : 

"It is quite impossible to describe the enormous quantity 
of articles that has been sent here and the work entailed in 
preparing them for transportation. Hundreds of soldiers, 
marines. Red Cross workers, and Bush Terminal employees 
are working in day and night shifts. It is true that rapid prog- 
ress is being made, but many additional consignments are being 
received from every part of the country. These are coming 
from persons who delayed until the very last moment, and 
with a smaller force at work it would be impossible to send 
them all abroad. For this reason word is being sent out to all 
the newspapers that took part in the project to tell their readers to 
discontinue sending gifts. There are at present as many articles 
as can be stowed on board the huge collier, and it is quite im- 
possible to send more than one cargo of gifts to the war orphans. 

"There arrived from Texas to-day case after case of pecans 
and peanuts tied up in new stockings. There were easily ten 
thousand quarts of nuts wrapped up in this manner. Another 
huge box was opened, and found to contain three thousand soft 
collars. A new baby buggy was also received. In a new 
roasting pan was found a whole smoked ham, while in another 
was found a side of bacon. Two huge bags of onions were also 
delivered, and ten sacks of flour. 

"The soldiers taking care of the unpacking of articles are 
perhaps the happiest workers in the terminal. Each instant 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 327 

they are receiving surprises. The toys that come to Hght are of 
every imaginable variety. In some packages are found hundreds 
of marbles, while there are many boxes filled to the top with 
games. There have been received about ten thousand dolls, 
most of which are provided with two or more complete changes 
of costume. A huge Teddy bear was delivered yesterday, and 
later a hobby horse as big as a fair-sized pony was brought in by 
an express wagon. 

' ' A package of eleven letters was received in a box of presents 
sent in by little girls residing in Ridgway, Pennsylvania. In 
these letters to the war orphans were inclosed clean sheets of 
correspondence paper, which may be used by the little sufferers 
in answering the notes of their kind sisters in America. In 
order that nothing should prevent their letters being answered, 
they have also inclosed international stamp coupons which, upon 
being presented at any foreign post office, will allow the bearer 
sufficient postage to send a letter to America. 

"The half holiday enjoyed by many workers to-day was 
taken advantage of, and the Bush Terminal warehouses were 
filled with visitors. Many prominent men and women strolled 
about the large storerooms for hours. Those in charge of the 
work received much praise for the able manner in which the 
millions of articles were being handled. So great did the crowd 
become during the latter part of the afternoon that Major 
Lawton detailed several soldiers to do nothing else than keep the 
visitors out of the way of the workers and to answer their 
questions. 

"Following the call issued several days ago for the donation 
of Christmas trees to be used in decorating the Christmas Ship, 
several were sent in to-day. Many more are expected, and when 
the Jason steams down New York harbor on its way to Europe, 
it will be properly decorated. There will be room for several 
hundred of these trees, many of which will be tied to the masts 
and rigging. 

" 'I am the happiest man in the world!' said President Bush 
after looking over the monster piles of articles received. Any 
person who could look upon this wonderful collection of gifts 



328 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

and not be thrilled with the unselfish sacrifice that prompted 
them is not human. The very fact that I was able to help 
this enterprise just a little is enough to give me happiness.' 

"The scene at the Bush Terminal to-day was beyond descrip- 
tion; the horde of soldiers, marines, Red Cross workers, and 
warehouse employees seemed to work in an almost frantic manner, 
yet there was absolutely no confusion. The wonderful system 
inaugurated by Major Lawton has been proved the only feasible 
one that could have been used in handling such a tremendous 
amount of gifts. Many more wives of United States army 
officers stationed at Governors Island and in New York City had 
offered their services, and the following have been busily engaged 
to-day in sorting and packing: Mrs. Wood, wife of General 
Leonard Wood, commander of the Department of the East; 
Mrs. Black, wife of Colonel William Black of the United States 
engineering department, and her sister, Mrs. George Young of 
New York City ; Mrs. Truby, wife of Major Truby of the United 
States medical department; Mrs. Lawton, wife of Major Lawton; 
Mrs. Dorey, wife of Captain Dorey, who is an aide to General 
Wood; Mrs. Smith, wife of Chaplain Smith, stationed at Gov- 
ernors Island; Mrs. Glenn, wife of Colonel Glenn, who is chief 
of staff under General Wood, and their daughter. Miss Glenn; 
Mrs. Ballinger, wife of Colonel Ballinger of the United States 
quartermaster's department; Mrs. Saltzman, wife of Major 
Saltzman, and Mrs. Wells, whose husband is Captain Wells. 

"A man arrived here to-day with a cable money order for 
$1,595, sent by the children of Hawaii to be used in purchasing 
warm clothing for European war orphans. 

"Countless visitors wended their way to the Bush Terminal 
to-day, and many left with tears streaming down their faces. 
The soldiers who are working here, many of whom are used to 
heart-rending scenes of all kinds and who might be expected 
to be hardened, seem to be greatly affected. They are gluttons 
for work, and are seemingly tireless. As soon as one duty has 
been performed they report to the one in charge of the squad 
in which they are placed and are directed to do something else." 

The best description of the Jason that any newspaper carried 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 329 

was the following, which appeared in the Pittsburgh Press, written 
by Mr. McVicker on November 10: 

"A giant among pigmies. 

"This was the impression I received yesterday when I had my 
first glimpse of the United States collier Jason, the vessel desig- 
nated by Josephus Daniels, secretary of the United States navy, 
as the Christmas Ship which will carry across the Atlantic Ocean 
the millions of gifts for the war orphans. 

"There she rode at anchor, one of the five largest colliers 
in the world, surrounded by five torpedo boats, six torpedo-boat 
destroyers, and the submarine E-2. In fact, the only vessels 
near to which she could be compared were the dreadnaughts 
Florida and Wyoming. After getting permission to go on board, 
I was turned over to an officer who, when he was made aware 
of my mission, fairly bubbled over with delight and went to no 
end of trouble explaining the wonderful mechanism of the huge 
vessel. To a 'landlubber,' every step revealed something more 
wonderful than that preceding. 

"First we inspected the hold, which is so deep that in it were 
stowed eight thousand tons of coal, which the Jason will carry to 
the battleships Tennessee and North Carolina, stationed in foreign 
waters. 

"No part of the vessel was overlooked. After descending 
from the bridge we went below to the engine room, where the 
tremendous motive power necessary to force the vessel through 
the water is generated. Then we went down three more flights of 
iron stairs to the stoke and boiler rooms, which are twenty-five 
feet below the surface of the water. The huge propeller shafts 
were pointed out, each as thick as a man's body. In this room the 
heat reaches 160 degrees when the ship is in motion, and the 
stokers are able to work but a few minutes at a time. 

"In addition to the long-distance wireless system, the Jason 
boasts of a complete telephone system connecting every part of 
the huge boat. From the bridge the officer in charge is able to 
increase or diminish the speed of the boat at will, by means of 
complicated mechanism. The Jason is propelled by twin screws, 
each independent of the other. If one of these is put out of 

22 



330 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

commission, then the other is put into service. A speed of 
sixteen knots, almost twenty miles an hour, can be maintained 
with both screws working. It is expected that the coming voy- 
age will take a little over ten days, with the vessel averaging 
about twelve and one-half knots an hour, twenty-four hours 
each day. 

"The Jason can carry fifteen thousand tons cargo and one 
million gallons of oil. It is five hundred and thirty-six feet in 
length, sixty feet wide, and forty feet in depth, and draws thirty- 
two feet of water. It is practically new, having been put in 
commission last year. Shortly after it was built, in 191 2, it 
was damaged by an explosion of three hundred tons of dynamite 
on board a Danish craft at anchor in Chesapeake Bay, near 
Baltimore. The Jason has seen active service, being stationed 
at Vera Cruz during the recent Mexican trouble. From Vera 
Cruz it was ordered to Tuxpan, and carried two hundred and 
seventy-two refugees to New Orleans. It returned to Vera Cruz, 
and carried Consul Stillman to Norfolk, Virginia. It was 
stationed at the latter place four months, and then ordered to the 
Brooklyn Navy Yards to carry coal to United States battleships 
abroad and gifts to the war orphans of Europe. 

' ' Its crew of thirteen officers and one hundred and four seamen 
are overjoyed with the mission ahead of them. On every hand 
are seen smiling, boyish faces, and the main subject of conversa- 
tion is the coming journey. 

"To describe the many gifts received here would be quite 
impossible, but they are as varied as numerous. A farmer in 
Indiana sent several barrels of cabbages. A local merchant 
donated a case of grapejuice, while scores of barrels of apples 
are on hand. Candy has arrived by the crate. Perhaps the 
oddest present received at the terminal in Brooklyn was an 
organ. Just what good this instrument will do the little 
sufferers who have neither clothes nor roofs to shelter them has 
not yet been fathomed, but the intentions of the donor were 
the best and the organ will probably be placed on board the 
Christmas Ship. Nothing that has been sent here will be 
destroyed or allowed to go to waste. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 331 

"The Alliance, a Panama steamer, arrived here yesterday 
with two large cases of toys for the Christmas Ship. These 
were donated by the children of the Isthmus of Panama. 

''From every comer of the world the presents come to fill the 
Christmas Ship." 

And at the very last came this letter: 

"My dear Miss Bell: 

"Every day I read your column about the Christmas Ship, 
and I am so interested. I think it is just splendid to think of 
making the poor suffering people of Europe a little happy. 

"I am a hard-working girl, fifteen years old, and I send you 
one dollar hoping it will make some one happy. It is n't very 
much, but I give it with all my heart, and hope it will help 
along. "Maris" 

You give it with all your heart, do you, my dear child? 
Yes, and doubtless, you dear hard-working girl of fifteen, you 
give it with your straining back and your toil- worn fingers as well ! 

How much does one dollar represent to this child — earning 
her living at fifteen? What she has denied herself in order to 
send this precious dollar to her less fortunate sisters on the other 
side, no human eye may see, and the glory of her giving is 
expressed in the wording of her letter. 

I consider this a very blessed dollar. Maris, and I wish I might 
tell the one who receives it what it represents. 

Go! Brave little dollar! Carry your message of love to 
some suffering child, and tell your story — if you can. 

"It isn't very much, but I give it with all my heart!" 

" Inasmuch! What ye do for the least one of these! 
Inasmuch! Ye have done it for Me!" 



CHAPTER XXXVI 

Contains the Most Touching Incident of the Entire 

Campaign 

I HAVE often been asked what touched my heart the most 
in my work for the Christmas Ship. 

I can give the answer unhesitatingly. It is tacked on to a 
telegram from Minneapolis. It came late; no one featured it. 
It got neither headlines nor capitals, but to my mind it was 
the sweetest and most touching incident of the campaign. 

One child, hoping to conceal from some sad-hearted little 
orphan of the war that her daddy would never come home any 
more, marked her offering "From Father!" — the sweetest 
thought any loving little heart could put forth. 

"From Father!" 

Here is the telegram containing it: 

"Thousands of contributions were sent from Minneapolis 
to-night to the Christmas Ship carrying the spirit of good fellow- 
ship from the people of this city to the war sufferers. It is 
estimated a total of sixteen thousand gifts will be sent from 
this city. 

"Christmas cheer in large and small packages poured into 
the ship headquarters on the first floor of the McKnight Building 
to-day in a continuous stream from early morning until the closing 
hour at noon. Packages, boxes, and cash contributions were 
received from Kensington, Olivia, Albert Lea, and Detroit, 
Minnesota. 

"Those in charge were highly gratified over the showing, 
particularly with the practical usefulness of everjrthing received. 
Clothing constituted the greater part of the offerings, largely 
for children, and new. One fifth was toys. 

"In order to reach the Christmas Ship before sailing time it 
was necessary to stop receiving contributions by noon. A 
packing force has been working all day, and to-night the boxes 
were started toward their destination. 

332 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 333 

"Scores of children brought their own toys. One little girl 
carried a small bundle wrapped in brown paper. Three sides 
of the package bore this inscription, 'For a girl,' and on a 
Christmas card tied to it was a note reading, 'From Father.'" 

I wish I knew the name of the child in whose heart that 
tender thought was born. 

The last story I wrote for my Christmas Ship was the 
following : 

For three months the men of Europe have done little but 
mobilize for fighting! For two months the women of America 
have done little but mobilize for blessing! 

War broke out the first of August, On the 27th of August, 
at four o'clock in the afternoon, the idea of a Christmas Ship 
was born, and on September 7 the news of its birth was published 
to the world. 

Then began the most peaceful mobilization of the greatest 
number of women and children the world has ever witnessed. 

And could we keep the men out? 

Not by any means whatsoever! They declared themselves 
"in" from the very first. And with the customary chivalry 
of American men, they put the women in front of the movement, 
while they stood modestly back and only helped lift. 

The Christmas Ship army has made a wonderful picture on 
the world's canvas. It has written a marvelous chapter in the 
world's history. It has graven a golden image in the minds of 
the universe. 

From far and near ; from hamlet to city ; from merchant prince 
to the poor, the imprisoned, the crippled, the blind; from the 
society woman, silken shod, to the barefoot urchin on the farm; 
from the church to the jail, and from the school to the alms- 
house have come the myriads of volunteers to our women's 
mobilization for peace. 

"You are mobilizing! We know it!" was the cry of fear one 
^reat nation thundered to another at the outbreak of the war. 

To-day ten thousand newspapers, printed in every language. 



334 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

use the same words in heralding the saihng of the Christmas 
Ship — the cry of war-torn Europe to the smihng hordes of 
America's women and children. "You are mobilizing! We 
know it! And we bless God that it is so!" 

Oh, you men, women, and children of compassionate hearts 
who have laden the Christmas Ship ! More than forty centuries 
look down to-day upon your noble work! Millions of human 
hearts, so sore and wounded that no human pen can estimate their 
pain, are turning toward you to-day in gratitude. Streaming eyes 
and piteous, clasped hands are lifted heavenward, calling down 
numberless blessings on your heads, for the Christmas Ship 
soon sails! 

Marvel of the century she is. 

No such ship ever sailed before — none ever will sail again. 

Laden with smiles, good will, and happiness, sent by a nation 
at peace to the children of nations at war, destined to dry the 
orphans' tears and to send its beacon light into darkened homes 
now cold and desolate! The ship will sail — a Christ idea — 
bearing not only its cargo of earthly comfort, but to all who have 
the seeing eye and the hearing ear its loftier mission of heavenly 
healing, fulfilling the sacred promise : 

"They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither 
shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 

' ' For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed 
them and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters; and 
God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes ! ' ' 

Dear Christmas Ship ! Godspeed ! 

America's dream of the Christmas Ship has become a reality ! 

Less than ten weeks have elapsed since the Herald first 
announced that it would send a Christmas Ship loaded with the 
gifts of American children to Europe's war-made orphans. And 
now our work is over. 

The children of America have responded more liberally than 
even the most optimistic of us had dared dream. 

But, much as we are sending, there is the knowledge that 
it is only an indication of the broader compassion which lies back 
^f the Christmas Ship movement. Our nation has only begun 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 335 

its beneficent work for the relief of the stricken women and 
children of Europe. 

The Christmas Ship is the first. It has served to call the 
attention of the world to what may be done. But it will not be 
the last. For, springing out of the Chicago Herald's campaign 
of beneficence, will come a myriad of other philanthropic plans 
for the amelioration of the condition of the orphans of the war. 
Other newspapers all over the country will inaugurate charitable 
undertakings, until to America all of suffering Europe will turn 
as sick children creep into the arms of a tender mother. 

For America is maternal. She has the mother heart. 

There never has been a disaster or calamity anywhere that the 
United States has not led the world in ameliorating the distress. 
And so the Christmas Ship leads! 

Filled by the children of a nation at peace, safe, sheltered, 
happy, and well cared for, it sails to the relief of a dozen nations 
who daily make the plight of their children more pitiable. 

The Christmas Ship is literally the only ray of light in the 
darkness of the orphan's night. 

So with tears in our eyes and an ache in our hearts we watch 
it sail. But we are smiling through our tears ! 

We have labored faithfully that others may reap what we 
have sowed. 

Sail quickly, dear Christmas Ship! 

For your coming will ease the pain in many a heart ! 

There 's a sail on the sea that 's a stranger to all 

Of the warrior ships there at bay. 
She speaks from afar, and they answer her call 

And salute as she goes on her way. 

For the flag that she flies is as white as a dove, 

With the gold star of Hope for its crest, 
And the word "Inasmuch" is the message of love 

That she bears to the nations oppressed. 

"Inasmuch! What ye do for the least one of these ! 

Inasmuch ! Ye have done it for me ! " 
Oh, bravely this flag is afloat in the breeze. 

For this ship has no Joe on the sea! 



CHAPTER XXXVII . 

Final Preparations 

I WANTED to do in Chicago what San Francisco, Cleveland, 
Washington, and many other cities had done — have a band 
and an escort of soldiers and a squad of mounted police to carry 
the shipment of gifts to the Pugh Terminal. 

In short, I not only wanted a parade in Chicago but I wanted 
to give the Christmas Ship a dramatic send-off in New York. 
I wanted General Wood to lend us some regulars from Fort 
Hamilton, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard to send a fine showing 
of United States marines; I wanted New York and Brooklyn to 
join in a celebration, fitting the wonderful voyage of the Christ- 
mas Ship. I wanted half a dozen bands and Mayor Mitchell. 
I wanted all the editors of all the papers who had made the cam- 
paign so wonderful to be invited to New York a day before the 
sailing, and I wanted a banquet and toasts and speeches. I 
wanted all these editors to be gathered into a private car and 
sent in a proper manner to and from New York, and if I had 
been turned loose I could have managed every bit of this plan 
and more. 

I kept thinking, "What would England do if she were sending 
a Christmas Ship to us?" She would have every band, every 
bit of gold lace, every uniform in the land, and every picturesque 
official from the Lord Mayor up to the king, or his personal 
representative ! 

Trust England to seize on a dramatic opportunity! 

So I wrote to Mr. Irving G. Bush and Mrs. Leonard Wood. 
"Do something," I wailed. "Invite the mayor! Get a band! 
Send some soldiers ! Decorate the Jason. Don't let my beautiful 
Christmas Ship sneak out into the ocean like an old scow! " 

And Mr. Bush bestirred himself, and sent me letters and 
telegrams saturated with soothing sirup, telling me that every- 
thing should be done which was humanly possible. 

336 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 337 

I wanted to have a parade that would block traffic. I never 
think anything is much good unless it can block traffic ! 

The following log of the Christmas Ship appeared on the front 
page of the Herald in large type : 

"Ten weeks ago to-day the Herald published Miss Lilian 
Bell's message 'To the Children of America.' Seventy days 
have elapsed and the Christmas Ship has passed from the 
Port of Dreams to the Land of Reality. 

"Its cargo is unique in the history of the seas. A million 
children of a nation at peace are its consignors; seven million 
children of seven nations at war its consignees. 

"Deep in its hold and high on its decks are piled its seven 
million gifts. 

"In the gathering of this great cargo, the value of which 
probably exceeds two million dollars, two hundred and twelve 
American newspapers united. Forty -four great railway systems 
and six big express companies transported this cargo to the 
seaboard. From Alberta and Saskatchewan they gathered it; 
from Portland, Oregon, to Portland, Maine; from cities and 
towns and villages in every state in the Union; and from the 
Hawaiian Islands and Porto Rico, from Mexico and Cuba. 

"Private citizens and public officials, schools, counties, 
cities, and towns, departments of the national government, 
churches, Sunday schools, fraternal organizations, prisoners in 
penitentiaries, lonely women in institutional homes, lighthouse 
tenders, people of the mansions, people of the tenements, chil- 
dren of the rich and children of the poor and hungry — these 
gave the gifts with which the ship was freighted. 

"To attempt to reduce the result of their efforts to statistical, 
form would be almost sacrilege. 

"The total amount of cash contributions received for the 
Christmas Ship was $42,862.38. 

' ' So far nearly seventy thousand articles of wearing apparel 
have been purchased by the Herald with money sent in for 
the Christmas Ship fund. Thousands more will be purchased 
Monday with money that has come in at the last moment. 



338 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"These goods were purchased in Chicago and have been for- 
warded to the Bush Terminal in Brooklyn, where they are being 
loaded aboard the United States collier Jason — the Christmas 
Ship." 

Things went with such a rush from this time on that it almost 
took people's breath away. 

This was in the Herald on November 2 : 

"All the resources of the government are being placed behind 
the Christmas Ship movement. Instructions have been given 
by the State Department to all American representatives accred- 
ited to belligerent European countries to take necessary measures 
for the reception and distribution of gifts. 

"Cablegrams have been sent to the various governments 
announcing the coming of the Jason on its mission of comfort 
and cheer, and requesting them to permit the vessel to enter 
the ports designated with the usual courtesies extended to a 
naval vessel of the United States. 

"This is a purely formal notification to prevent any embarrass- 
ment in connection with the arrival of a foreign man-of-war 
in the nation of a belligerent country. 

"As all the governments have announced that they would 
gratefully accept gifts of the American children for the orphans 
of the war, it is expected that without delay cablegrams will 
come back stating that the Jason will be admitted with 
pleasure." 

To the American charge d'affaires in Petrograd, and other 
foreign representatives of the United States the Acting Secretary 
of State, Robert Lansing, sent the following instructions : 

"Charles S. Wilson, Esq., American charge d'affaires, Petrograd. 
' ' Sir : It doubtless has come to your knowledge that through 
a movement initiated by the United States the children of the 
United States are engaged in contributing Christmas gifts to 
the children made orphans by the war in Europe. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 339 

"Arrangements have been made by the Secretary of the 
Navy to have the gifts carried to Europe on the collier Jason, 
which will touch at Falmouth, England ; Bordeaux or Marseilles, 
France; Genoa, Italy, and Salonika, Greece. 

"The department is informed that, through an arrangement 
made by the committee in charge with the British ambassador 
at Washington, the British government will receive the gifts for 
Russia and convey them to Bergen, Norway ; and the department 
has authorized the American ministers in Norway and Sweden 
to apply informally to the Norwegian and Swedish governments 
respectively on behalf of the committee for the free transportation 
of the gifts from Bergen to the Finnish border. 

' ' This generous and beneficent action on the part of the chil- 
dren of the United States doubtless will being comfort and pleas- 
ure to many households, and the department feels confident you 
will take pleasure in giving your cooperation in the proper way. 

"I am, sir, your obedient servant, 

"Robert Lansing, 
"Acting Secretary of State" 

Thus everything was done by the government to see that the 
Christmas Ship gifts should arrive at their various destinations. 

"Before the Bush Terminal, where soldiers and sailors are 
sorting gifts for the war orphans of Europe, a large group of chil- 
dren gathered to-day," wrote Mr. McVickers on November 8. 

"'Mister, give me one of them beautiful dolls,' urgently 
asked one little girl. 

" 'I can't do it. Don't you know what the gifts are for?' 

" 'Yes, sir; but one won't be missed,' — this tentatively. 

" 'And would you deprive a little girl who has lost her father 
of a single one of the things upstairs ? ' 

" 'Oh, go on. Mister. I was only kiddin' you. I got a 
father, and they ain't.' 

"A bluejacket found among the toys one of the devices which, 
when blown up, unrolls about two feet and curls up as soon as 
the air is exhausted. 



340 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

'"I'll bet that'll open a kid's eyes,' he said delightedly as he 
packed it away. 

"Mrs. Leonard Wood, wife of the commanding general of the, 
military Department of the East, and other ladies from Governors 
Island spent to-day in sorting several hundred boxes. 'Look at 
this beautiful stuff,' exclaimed Mrs. Wood, as she ran her hand 
through a pile made up of woolen sweaters, dresses, underwear, 
and stockings. ' Think of the comfort that will bring ! ' 

"These are a few of the incidents which took place to-day in 
the huge rooms where the sorting and repacking are in progress. 
It is wonderful how quickly the work is progressing. This is due; 
in large measure to the careful way in which the donors packed 
their gifts, and again to the industry of the soldiers and sailors.. 
The former are hustling on the second, the latter on the third 
floor. On the fourth floor are dumped the boxes ready to be 
carted away and placed in the Christmas Ship. Thousands 
upon thousands of packages wrapped in paper came by parcels 
post and express. Necessarily, these had to be placed in boxes 
according to their character. 

"For purposes of sorting these general divisions were made: 
toys, children's clothing, women's clothing, men's clothing, caps 
and hats, shoes, blankets and material of similar character, and 
foodf stuffs. 

"To look at the thousands of big boxes, the contents of 
many of which are a mystery until opened, it seems only a 
hopeless task to sort the gifts. Mrs. Wood said to-day that it 
was a stupendous task, and it is. But there are willing workers. 
The soldiers and sailors, equipped with nail pullers, saws, and 
hammers, attack a section of boxes as they would an enemy. 
During the lunch hour a soldier and sailor engaged in a bragging 
match. 

"'Why, we can eat you alive,' said the Jackie. 'We can do 
two boxes while you are beginning on one.' 

'"Ah, say,' responded the soldier, 'before you get down from 
the Navy Yard in the morning we have done more than you do 
the whole day long.' 

"The truth of the matter is, that the spirit of the Christmas 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 341 

Ship movement has entered into the souls of both detachments. 
They manifest the greatest interest in the work. One of them 
will put a bonnet jauntily on his head and strut around for a 
minute or two for the enjoyment of his comrades and, the play 
over, will tuck the hat carefully into a box and then fall to with 
greater zeal. 

"Another will play a popular air on a mouth organ, while 
waiting for another box to be opened, and set the hammers going 
in unison. There is no drudgery. There is joy in the doing. 
The natural result is dispatch amidst a great cheerfulness. 
There is joy packed in every box along with the contents." 

This appeared in the Herald on November 8 : 

"The question of how the gifts intended for Russia are to 
reach their destination has been happily settled during the day. 
It will be recalled that the original plan called for the transporta- 
tion of these gifts on the Jason to Falmouth, England. At this 
point they were to be transhipped to an English man-of-war 
and conveyed to Bergen, Norway. The Norwegian and Swedish 
governments had agreed to furnish free transportation from 
Bergen to the Finnish frontier. 

"The danger from floating mines, however, caused the 
British government reluctantly to come to the conclusion that 
it could not transport the gifts. The Herald thereupon was 
forced to seek another avenue for reaching Russia. It was 
found that the Russian- American Steamship Company was still 
operating. An appeal to this company produced an immediate 
willingness to supply free transportation on the steamer Korsk, 
which will sail November 18 for Archangel. 

"That is to say, the Russian gifts will go through the Arctic 
Ocean, down the White Sea, to the far northern port. The 
Korsk will be forced to go through fields of Arctic ice, but the way 
will be made easy by the ice-breaker which will be sent to meet 
her. Upon the arrival of the Korsk at Archangel, the gifts will 
be unloaded and sent by rail to Petrograd. From that point 
the distribution all over Russia will be made. 

"It will take the Korsk two weeks to reach Archangel. As 



342 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

the Russian Christmas is thirteen days later than that in the 
United States and other Christian countries of western Europe, 
the Red Cross society in Russia will have ample time to prepare 
distribution of the gifts on Christmas Day." 

' ' Lieutenant-Commander Courteney prepared a memorandum 
to-day of the wonderful cargo on the Christmas Ship, and here 
is what it said: 

' ' ' There are ten thousand cases aboard, and this is what they 
hold: Fourteen cars of children's clothing, five cars of women's 
clothing; one car of men's clothing; five cars of toys; two cars of 
shoes ; two cars of foodstuffs ; one car containing thirteen thousand 
dollars' worth of merchandise bought in New York; twenty-three 
cars of miscellaneous merchandise; twenty-nine cars of assorted 
goods — a total of eighty-two carloads of Christmas presents! 
There are about eighteen carloads of small packages, making 
the total number of Christmas presents placed on the Jason 
an even one hundred carloads of Christmas happiness,'" 



CHAPTER XXXVIII 

Description of Sailing Taken from the "New 
York World" 

NEVER did a ship sail from this port with so many good wishes 
and words of praise as did the U.S.S. Jason, the World 
Santa Claus Ship, which is now on her way to Europe with a 
cargo of Christmas presents from the people of the United States 
to the more than a million children who have lost their fathers 
on the battle fields of the war. 

Thousands of men, women, and children flocked to the wharf 
of Norton, Lilly & Company, at the Bush Terminal, Brooklyn, 
early yesterday. There the big naval collier had been loading 
Christmas gifts for a week. 

Shortly after nine o'clock a steamer brought women and 
officers from Governors Island who had worked hard to make 
the Santa Claus undertaking a great success. First came Major 
F. H. Lawton of the quartermaster department, who earned 
untold credit in having the Christmas cargo of the Jason handled 
and put aboard. 

Commander Courteney went to the gangway to give hearty 
greeting to a little blue-eyed woman. She was Mrs. William 
Draper, head of the Red Cross Society in this city, who has looked 
after the welfare of the Christmas Ship with the keenest interest. 
When the Jason reaches European ports, representatives of the 
Red Cross Society will distribute its cargo. 

All this time men, women, and children climbed the gang- 
plank and the Jason was thick with "shore folks" eying every- 
thing aboard the first real Christmas Ship. The pier swarmed 
with detectives sent from Brooklyn headquarters, and many 
uniformed policemen were on hand; but they had nothing to do. 

While the band was playing the police boat Patrol brought the 
official representatives of the city, who had been sent by Mayor 
Mitchell to wish the Jason and her officers and crew Godspeeds 

343 



344 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

Mayor Mitchell was detained in Philadelphia, but had 
delegated his secretary, Theodore Rousseau, to act for him. 
On the Patrol were Mr. and Mrs. Rousseau and Miss Herta 
Fremerey, President McAneny of the Board of Aldermen and 
Mrs. McAneny and their son Arnold; Borough President Mc- 
Cormack of Richmond; Dock Commissioner Smith; President 
Bishop of the Iron Steamboat Company, at whose pier. No. i 
North River, the World established the largest receiving station 
for donations; Bridge Commissioner Kraacke; H. O. Beatty; 
Fire Commissioner Adamson; President Irving T. Bush of the 
Bush Terminal, who gave to the Santa Claus Ship, free of charge, 
all his big plant afforded; and S. S. Norton, of Norton, Lilly & Co., 
who had given free use of the dock where the ship was loaded. 
In the train of these came an army of ordinary photographers 
and moving-picture makers. 

In the cabin Secretary Rousseau, in behalf of the mayor, 
addressed the assemblage. 

"I am very sorry indeed," said Mr. Rousseau, "that Mayor 
Mitchell cannot be with us. Before leaving this city, however, 
he instructed me to say to you, Commander Courteney, to you, 
Captain Meriwether, and to all the officers and the crew of this 
ship, that he wished them all Godspeed and a safe and pleasant 
voyage across the Atlantic. 

"He also wanted me to thank all those who have aided in 
making this grand undertaking a success; he wishes to express 
to the World and to the other newspapers that have worked for 
Admiral Santa Claus his highest appreciation. Mayor Mitchell 
told me that it was his desire that President McAneny should 
represent him upon this occasion." 

Mr. McAneny said that, as acting mayor, it gave him the 
greatest pleasure to bid Godspeed to the ship in the name of 
the City of New York. 

"Back of this great enterprise," said Mr. McAneny, "was 
the beautiful thought of a woman and the energy of a man. 
It was a beautiful thought that in the midst of the horror of 
war the little children should not have been forgotten. We 
must thank the Red Cross for what it has done for this 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 345 

undertaking, and we must thank our own New York World, of 
which we are justly proud, for having such an important place 
in this blessed work. 

"We wish you Godspeed, and we trust your reception on 
the other side will be as great as the farewell we accord you here, 
and that this wonderful cargo which you carry shall reach every- 
body, no matter how distant, to make Christmas just what it 
ought to be." 

Commissioner Smith, Mr. Rousseau, and Major Lawton 
succeeded in dragging Mrs. Draper forward. 

' ' It has been possible for the American Red Cross to share in 
the work of getting the Christmas Ship loaded and ready for 
sea," said Mrs. Draper. "This ship will meet with the proper 
Christmas spirit. When Admiral Ward came back with the 
Red Cross ship he told me everybody on the other side wanted 
to help, and even the stevedores who unloaded the cargo she 
carried would not accept pay. We in New York are happy 
that it came to us to do our small share in this big work." 

Finally the big siren of the Patrol, which had taken off the 
official guests, was blown as a farewell to the Christmas Ship. 
Then came the hardest work, to get the visitors ashore. The 
children, especially, did not want to go ashore. 

"If we could only sail with Santa Claus," they pleaded. 

Finally the decks were cleared, and a few minutes after 
noon the Jason cast off her lines, and amid the blowing of steam 
whistles and cheers from thousands on the piers, and the music 
of the band, the World Christmas Ship pulled into midstream 
and headed for the sea on her voyage of mercy and happiness, 
flying the flag of the greatest admiral — Santa Claus. 

The President of the United States sent the following message 
to the U.S.S. Jason, "The Children's Christmas Ship": 

"The White House, Washington, D.C., November 14. — 
My best wishes for a safe voyage. May the good ship carry 
comfort and relief to the distressed and suffering. 

"WooDROw Wilson" 

23 



346 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

Now I quote from the account Mr. W. B. McVicker sent 
to the Pittsburgh Press. 

"Amid the strains of martial music, the shrill blasts of 
hundreds of whistles, the tolling of bells, and the shouts of 
thousands of persons, the U.S.S. Jason — the Christmas Ship — 
laden with millions of gifts for the war orphans of Europe, 
donated by the children of America, was slowly pulled away 
from pier No. i. Bush Terminal, Brooklyn, at 12:08 p.m. to-day 
by six tugs, and started down New York harbor on the first 
lap of her journey across the Atlantic Ocean. 

"Never before in the history of the world has a ship started 
across the ocean under similar circumstances and on a similar 
journey, and its departure was marked with fitting ceremony. 

"Old and young, rich and poor, had contributed presents 
with which her hold was filled. From start to finish the pro- 
ject, through which the million or more war orphans will be 
comforted and made happy, was a tremendous success. Nearly 
every city, town, and hamlet in this great country of ours 
responded to the appeal of the little sufferers with the result 
that the Jason, one of the largest colliers in the world, started 
on her journey loaded to the hatches. 

"Such a departure as made by the Christmas Ship was 
never before witnessed in New York or in any other place in 
the world, it is believed. Thousands of persons crowded to 
pier No. i, at which the Jason was moored. Many of them 
arrived early in the morning, seeking points of vantage where 
they could witness the departure of the history-making vessel. 
At 9 A.M. visitors were allowed aboard and, in a few minutes 
the huge collier, one of the five largest in the world, was a mass 
of humanity. Shortly after 10 a.m. good-byes were said and all 
but officers and crew were forced to leave, and a short time 
later the vessel was towed out into New York harbor. 

"As the Christmas Ship slowly left the pier, the band, 
composed of fifty pieces, struck up the 'Stars and Stripes,' 
and in an instant every man present, including the officers and 
sailors on the Jason, had bared his head. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 347 

"There they stood, thousands of hatless men! Down the 
faces of many streamed tears, and they were unashamed. 
Women sobbed aloud, while the children wildly cheered and 
clapped their hands. On the decks of the Christmas Ship 
the crew stood at attention until well out into the harbor, 
when, at a given signal, they snatched their round, white 
hats from their heads and returned the cheers of those 
on shore. 

"Slowly at first, and then faster and faster, the vessel 
speeded until well out, where the lines of the tugs were cast 
off and the Christmas Ship, under her own steam, started 
down the harbor. Just as the ship was leaving the pier, three 
tri-colored signal flags were run up the foremast halyard. In 
code these meant 'Godspeed.' 

"From the flagstaff in the stern floated the Stars and Stripes, 
while from the bow was unfurled the snow-white banner on 
which was the word 'Inasmuch.' Above the jackies on the 
lower decks could be seen the officers on the bridge. A full 
head above these stood Lieutenant-Commander Courteney, while 
those of lower station stood in the rear. At the first notes 
struck by the band these men removed their caps and stood 
uncovered until well out into the harbor. 

"Thousands of hats and handkerchief s waved in the air, and 
a mighty cheer which fairly shook the pier was sent up from 
the throats of the assembled throng. 

"Every vessel in the harbor then began to whistle, and 
bells in all parts of lower Manhattan and Brooklyn tolled out 
* Godspeed. ' A more impressive sight would be hard to imagine. ' ' 

Can't you picture the brave sight she made? I frankly 
say that I would rather have been there to see it with my own 
eyes than any sight ever conjured by my imagination, and if 
tears streamed out of the eyes of those who witnessed the 
Christmas Ship's departure, you need n't think they were the 
only tears which flowed. 

I contributed a few choice specimens myself! 



CHAPTER XXXIX 
On This Shore and On That 

T^ROM the mayor's office in New York the following message 
-■" was given out on the afternoon of the sailing day: 

"The Christmas Ship which sails to-day, bearing gifts for 
the children who are the greatest sufferers from the war in 
Europe, is a fine testimonial to the generosity of the American 
people. I am told that the contributions have come in great 
numbers from every section of the country, from persons of 
every station of life, even from the very poor. The men and 
women whose work has made possible this kindly undertaking 
are to be congratulated on its splendid success. 

"The U.S.S. Jason, which the government so generously 
loaned for this purpose, will carry with her a freight of good 
wishes and kindly thoughts in addition to the thousands of 
practical remembrances beneath her hatches. I wish for the 
Jason, her officers and crew, a safe and speedy voyage, and 
hope that her cargo will help lessen the misery which winter 
must bring to the people in the countries at war. 

"John Purroy Mitchell" 

Secretary of the Navy Daniels issued the following official 
statement on November 14: 

"The collier, Jason, carrying a double cargo of 'black 
diamonds' for the bunkers of the Tennessee and the North 
Carolina, which are now in the Mediterranean waters, and of 
Christmas presents, more valuable than real diamonds because 
of the spirit which led to their sending, for European children 
in the war zone, who would otherwise miss the annual visit of 
Santa Claus, sailed from Bush Terminal, Brooklyn, at eleven 
o'clock this morning for Falmouth, England. 

"The presents were collected from all parts of the United 
States through the instrumentality of about two hundred and 
twelve daily newspapers. The secretary of the navy sent the 
following radiogram after the Jason weighed anchor: 

348 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 349 

"Gommanding officer, U.S.S. Jason: 

"My hope and prayer is that the Jason may have clear 
skies and fair winds on her auspicious voyage to Europe, laden, 
as never ship before, with precious Christmas cargo, prompted 
by the generosity and hallowed by the sympathy of American 
childhood. Tiny Tim has his counterpart in thousands of 
orphaned little ones in the Old World to-day, crippled by ruth- 
less war, not actually, but in present happiness and future 
opportunity. God bless them, every one, and may the Christ- 
mas spirit which actuates American children to send these 
gifts, help to hasten the day when 'peace on earth, goodwill to 
men' shall be a blessed reality, and when nations shall go to 
war no more. 

"JosEPHUS Daniels" 

Editorial from the Chicago Herald: 

"The Christmas Ship sails to-day. Save for the transport 
of the gifts, America's work is done. Nobly has she responded 
to the call of humanity. Nobly has she proclaimed her un- 
dying devotion to the cause of peace and human progress. 
The ship's voyage to European ports must soon end. But 
after that it starts upon a voyage to last throughout long years 
to come. It will touch at many ports, for the hearts of men 
are many, and to each it will deliver the message it bears to-day. 

"As sponsor for the Christmas Ship the Herald rejoices at 
this happy consummation. It is proud to have been a humble 
instrument in this great work. It rejoices to have the privilege 
of cooperating with so many Americans filled with zeal for the 
service of humanity, with enthusiasm for ideals that perish 
never. And it takes this occasion to express its thanks to all 
whose unselfish labor and high enthusiasm have made the 
Christmas Ship possible. 

"Thanks are due to President Wilson. His prompt and 
sympathetic response to the first suggestion of the Christmas 
Ship lent the enterprise powerful encouragement. Thanks are 
due to the members of the cabinet — and especially to Secretary 
Daniels of the Navy Department. They have done much to 



350 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

make it a success. Thanks are due to the members of the Inter- 
state Commerce Commission. Their recognition of the enterprise 
as a charitable undertaking, under the terms of the statute, 
paved the way for the railroads' generosity. 

"Thanks are due to two hundred editors of the United 
States who cooperated in the movement. They spread the 
appeal broadcast throughout the land. They gave of their 
newspaper space and their professional services freely. They 
encouraged, day by day, the various efforts to raise funds and 
collect gifts. Without them the magnificent response that came 
from the appeal would have been impossible. 

"Thanks are due to the great railroad and express systems 
of the country. They willingly consented to place services 
at the disposition of the Christmas Ship movement, free of 
charge, which would ordinarily have cost thousands of dollars. 
No appeal was made to their generosity in vain. Their assist- 
ance meant that a great sum was saved to the little orphans 
abroad. 

"Thanks are due to the great transfer companies' for aid 
most generous. Thanks are especially due the owners of the 
great Pugh Terminal in Chicago and the great Bush Terminal 
in New York. They placed their magnificent facilities at the 
service of the Christmas Ship movement absolutely without 
charge — not for a day or a week, but during the entire period 
of Christmas Ship gift collections. Only those who have had 
to do with the interior workings of the movement can appreciate 
the value of these services. 

"Then there are the soldiers and the sailors who have helped 
to sort the Christmas Ship gifts and load them aboard the 
vessel at Brooklyn. There are the ladies of the officers of the 
army and navy who have lent invaluable assistance in the same 
field. There is the Red Cross, which put its facilities in New 
York at the disposition of the Christmas Ship. There are the 
ambassadors and other representatives of the warring nations at 
Washington. Thanks are due every one of these. 

"Thanks are due to all the organizations — organizations of 
men, women, and children — and to all individuals throughout 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 351 

the land who have collected funds and presents for the ship. 
We cannot hope to name all, or even a small part of these. 
They are legion. Theirs has been the main work. Their whole- 
hearted response to the appeal has been staggering. And the 
Herald wishes to thank Miss Lilian Bell, who originated the 
entire plan of the Christmas Ship. 

"The Christmas Ship has been a great thing for everybody. 
It was good for the soul. Ideas have been clarified and ideals 
have been purified. 

"Unselfishness and charity have been exalted. Each man 
will be a better man, each woman a better woman, and each child 
a better child for having taken part in the Christmas Ship move- 
ment. The message that America has sent remains engraven 
on its own heart. 

"The Christmas Ship movement has ended. But as the 
Christmas Ship disappears in the distance other forms of service 
to humanity rise on the horizon's rim. The time teems with 
opportunities; many voices are calling from out the future to 
the present. May we be equal to all newer trusts and rise to 
our opportunities as it has been given to us to rise to the great 
opportunity of the Christmas Ship! 

' ' ' God bless us, every one ! ' says Tiny Tim at the end of the 
Christmas Carol. 'God bless us, every one, and God bless the 
war-made orphans, every one!' is assuredly the way Tiny Tim 
would have put it had he lived in these United States in the year 
of our Lord 1914." 

And so the Christmas Ship sailed, and a few days later the 
Herald published the following, written by the Washington 
correspondent who had been appointed American commissioner 
to represent all the two hundred and odd newspapers that had 
assisted in loading the Christmas Ship with its seven million 
gifts for the war orphans of Europe: 

"On Board Christmas Ship, November 15. (By wireless via 
Boston.) Plowing through smooth seas, the U.S.S. Jason has 
brought us three hundred and twenty miles nearer the war-torn 
fields of Europe. 



352 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"As we swept out of the great harbor under the shadow of 
the Statue of Liberty, the horrors of war seemed remote indeed. 
But after clearing land, two great, grim cruisers lay across our 
path, gray and menacing. They were British ships, one the 
Lancaster, and were like great hawks lying in wait for their prey. 

"They saw the Christmas Ship with its Christmas flag snap- 
ping at its masthead and the Stars and Stripes floating proudly 
from the flagstaff. Then one of the great guns that bristle from 
the turrets roared out, but it was a message of friendship. 

"The flags were run up and dipped, and the officers and men 
crowded the sides of the warship to bid the children's ship 
Godspeed. 

"To-day there is not a ship or a wisp of smoke on the horizon, 
and we have the ocean to ourselves. 

"There are signs of a heavy storm coming, but the Jason 
is prepared. Captain Meriwether has made all shipshape, and 
the presents are battened down under the great steel hatches, 
where they are safe from wind and sea, while the Jason goes 
sturdily on." 

The story of the first official knowledge England had of the 
approach of the children's Christmas Ship is contained in the 
following, dated London, November 23 : 

"A wireless message from the commander of the collier Jason 
to Captain Symington, naval attache in London, this evening 
conveyed to the American embassy the first direct intimation 
of an early arrival of the Christmas Ship. According to this 
message, the Jason should reach Devonport Wednesday morning, 
which is two days earlier than she was expected. Consequently 
preparations for disbursing the British youngsters' share of the 
yuletide cargo are being hurried forward at highest speed. 

"At a conference to-day between representatives of the war 
office and the local government board it was decided to bring all 
gifts designed for children of the United Kingdom to London 
for distribution. 

"Owing to the present governmental control of the railroads, 
it will be easy to provide a special train for transporting the 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 353 

hundreds of thousands of packages from Devonport pier straight 
through to the capital. 

"Until the Earl of Beauchamp and his associates of the 
reception committee confer with the officials aboard the Jason 
it will be difficult, to draw up any complete plan of distribution, 
as the exact size of Santa Glaus' British consignment is not 
known here. His Majesty's government, however, is deter- 
mined that every possible attention be shown Kris Kringle's 
delegates from across the seas, and that every necessary channel 
shall be used to bring about the most effective handling of the 
big proposition. It is by no means easy to frame a comprehen- 
sive list of the little ones in every corner of the British Isles to 
whom presents go, but with the assistance of the war office and 
local government board it is certain all difficulties can be over- 
come before Santa's sleigh is due to arrive. 

"The following official statement was issued from the foreign 
office to-night: 'The cabinet has determined to mark its high 
appreciation of the generosity of the American government and 
nation in sending the Santa Claus Ship Jason laden with twelve 
hundred tons of gifts for children of English soldiers engaged in 
war. One of its members, the Earl of Beauchamp, lord president 
of the council, will therefore meet the American commissioner, 
accompanied by Mr. Ackland, under-secretary for foreign 
affairs. They will leave town Wednesday morning for the port 
of arrival. They will go on board to welcome the commissioner, 
inspect the gift ship, and formally receive Santa Glaus' presents. 
In the evening they will entertain the commissioner and officers 
at dinner. There will be a toast list, and the lord president and 
Mr. Ackland will voice the government's high appreciation of 
the very kindly thought which has prompted the American 
people to initiate and carry out the Ghristmas gift scheme, and 
of the countenance given it by the American government." 

This was cabled to the Chicago Herald the day following: 
"Such a royal welcome as never greeted a ship before will be 
waiting when the Jason steams into Devonport. The admiralty 
has taken charge of arrangements for the berthing of the sturdy 



354 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

vessel at the docks, according to wireless dispatches received by- 
Commander Courteney. We expect to land about noon Wed- 
nesday. 

"Vessels of the British navy will halt their watchful patrol 
along the coast long enough to honor the children's ship. When 
the white flag with the Star of Bethlehem emblazoned on it comes 
into view the mighty fighting ships will be a guard of honor for 
the Jason, while their sirens roar out a chorus of welcome. 

' ' The Jason will be worthy of the great demonstration . Final 
touches are being put on, and from stem to stem the ship has 
been scoured and painted, and now looks as though it was steam- 
ing brand-new out of the navy yard. If the millions of children 
who loaded the ship with presents for the war orphans of Europe 
could see the Jason they would be proud of their vessel. 

' ' The government has notified Commander Courteney that a 
banquet will be given at Plymouth Wednesday night in honor 
of the Jason's voyage. 

"After the storms encountered during the last few days the 
winds have dropped, and we are steaming through great, smooth 
swells toward the first landing place of the Christmas Ship since 
we cleared New York and watched the shores of America disap- 
pear from the horizon." 



CHAPTER XL 

Greatest Naval Honors in History Paid 
THE Christmas Ship 

"PROSPECTIVE arrival of the Santa Claus Ship at Devon- 
-*■ port about noon to-morrow," reads a special cable dispatch 
to the Chicago Herald, "has led even British royalty to show its 
interest in the Christmas kindliness of the United States toward 
warring Europe. With King George the demonstration of 
friendship for things American has taken the form of a special 
order that American newspapers containing news of the Christ- 
mas Ship be delivered regularly at Buckingham Palace. This 
is the first time in history an English monarch has thus honored 
the American press and, it is said, King George's action is due 
to his appreciation of the yuletide enterprise inaugurated by the 
newspapers of the United States. 

"From Noel Kershaw, secretary of the local government 
board, came an explanation to-day of the plan that has been 
arranged for the distribution of the presents throughout the 
British Isles. Circular letters have been issued to local repre- 
sentative committees all over the country, directing them to 
obtain names and addresses of children of non-commissioned 
officers and men usually resident in their area, whether of British 
or Belgian nationality, whose fathers or guardians are or have 
been on active service abroad. 

"Each of these committees, Kershaw remarked, is composed 
of delegates from all local organizations, such as trades unions, 
soldiers, sailors' families, associations, and so on, so that it 
should be able to collect the necessary data with comparative ease. 
The lists will show whether the children are those of soldiers killed 
or missing, for these unfortunates will be considered first. 

"In a lengthy official statement from the local government 
board chronicling the history of the Christmas Ship the following 
paragraph appears: 'The happy thought of the newspapers 
concerned, which was so cordially responded to by the children 

355 



356 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

of the United States and their government and so enthusiastically 
received by the people of the United Kingdom and the British 
government, will provide an ample silver lining to the war 
cloud beneath which the people of and in the United Kingdom 
apparently are doomed to spend their approaching Christmas.' " 

When the Jason arrived at Plymouth she halted, as nearly 
as I can recall, in the exact spot where our yacht lay at anchor, 
which I wrote about in my first book of travel. 

I know Plymouth Harbor as well as I know Lake Michigan. 
That training ship, with all that eager, enthusiastic young life 
on it, is as familiar to me as the Statue of Liberty in New York 
Harbor, For days we were aboard my friend's yacht there, 
before we crossed to France, and I have even attended a banquet 
at the Hotel Royal in Plymouth, so that when this story was 
published I almost felt that I had been there also: 

"With a British marine band playing the 'Star-Spangled 
Banner,' while British soldiers and sailors stood at salute and 
American flags whipped the breeze from British flagstafEs, the 
U.S.S. Jason, the Santa Claus Ship, came into Plymouth naval 
basin this afternoon to deliver to Britain her share of Christmas 
gifts sent by the children of America to the children of Europe. 

"The Jason's arrival was attended by a ceremony as impres- 
sive as it was simple. The sincerity of England's welcome to 
this consignment of good will sent across the Atlantic was attended 
by the bestowal upon the Jason of honors greater than any ever 
given to an alien vessel in the history of the British admiralty. 

"The depth of the government's appreciation is indicated in a 
brief sentence spoken by Francis Dyke Ackland, under-secretary 
of state for foreign affairs. He said : ' I think a reception like 
this is without precedent, but we feel we must impress upon the 
American people how grateful we are to them.' 

"There was much that was dramatic in the berthing of the 
Jason. The day was drab and chill, and it was a drizzly gray 
and grim scene into which the Christmas Ship came with her 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 357 

message of good will to men. For she entered into the very 
heart of the biggest of Britain's navy yards, and all about her 
thousands of men were feverishly at work on labor of the most 
warlike nature. 

"On the pier to which she was moored lay huge guns and 
other trappings of the British men-of-war, in the midst of which 
there flowered incongruously a forest of multicolored signal flags 
used to decorate the landing stage. Close beside her lay a 
mighty dreadnaught, which perhaps has already felt against 
her sides the impact of the enemy's shells or mines. In fact, of 
all that host of craft of many kinds in Plymouth basin, the 
Jason was the only one whose purpose was peaceful. Yet as 
befits an auxiliary vessel of the United States navy she was as 
spick and span as the mightiest battleship afloat. 

"On time to the dot, she passed Eddystone Light at two 
o'clock in the morning and waited until dawn in the outer 
waters of Plymouth Sound. Ten of the Royal Navy's torpedo- 
boat destroyers officiated as her first guard of honor. Dipping 
their flags in joyous greeting, the destroyers convoyed the big 
collier into the harbor, where she received an unexpected ovation 
from hundreds of naval apprentices aboard H.M.S. Impregnable, 
a training ship of the old style. These enthusiastic lads even 
set out in three whaleboats, towed by a launch, and circled 
round the Jason several times, cheering her and serenading her 
officers and crew with all the American tunes they could 
remember. 

"Soon afterwards Flag-Captain Back, representing the com- 
mander-in-chief of the Plymouth station, Admiral Sir George 
Edgerton, and F. E. Carter of the foreign office, drew alongside in 
an admiralty launch and gave the British government's first 
welcome to America's Christmas Ship. Several representatives of 
London newspapers also went aboard to get an early interview, 
and behind them came Herbert Stabler, second secretary of the 
United States embassy in London. 

"These preliminary visits were unofficial. The formal 
reception took place at three o'clock in the afternoon, after the 
Jason had passed through the lock gates into Prince of Wales 



358 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

Basin and had been slowly swung alongside the quay. The spot 
selected for her during her brief visit to England is the best 
position in the navy yard, being just below the big naval barracks 
and parade grounds, from the flagstaff of which there fluttered 
the Stars and Stripes — an honor never paid before to the United 
States. Other American flags were flying from almost every 
masthead in the basin and the landing stage. They were 
liberally entwined with the Union Jack. One side of the gang- 
way two companies of the Fourth East Surrey, one of Lord 
Kitchener's new battalions, stood as a guard of honor, while on 
the other side a like number of sailors were acting in the same 
capacity. On the parade ground was stationed a band of the 
Royal Marine infantry, whose red coats shone forth amidst a 
host of khaki and dark blue uniforms. 

"As soon as the gangplank was lowered the official reception 
committee, headed by Earl Beauchamp, the Lord President of 
Council, and Under-Secretary Ackland, filed aboard. They 
were met by Commander Courteney and the other officers of the 
Jason, in full dress uniform. The committee included, besides 
these two members of the cabinet. Admiral Sir George Edgerton, 
Major-General A. P. Penton the fortress commander, Mayor 
Baker of Plymouth, J. G. Stephens, United States consul, and 
Mr. and Mrs. Waldorf Astor. 

"Several hundred of the army and navy officers and leading 
citizens of Plymouth braved the inclement weather and wit- 
nessed the reception. As Lord Beauchamp came aboard the 
band broke into the 'Star-Spangled Banner,' rifles of the mili- 
tary and naval guards came sharply to salute, and, while the 
officers stood at attention the civilians waved their hats. 

"After a brief visit to the wardroom Earl Beauchamp and 
the other officers made a tour of inspection, in which the British 
naval men took the keenest interest because of the Jason's novel 
construction. 

"Certainly the most remarkable banquet ever held in Ply- 
mouth, perhaps the most remarkable ever attended by English- 
men, was that which wound up to-day's reception to the Santa 
Claus Ship. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 359 

"The hosts were his Majesty's government, and besides 
laudatory speeches from Earl Beauchamp and Under-Secretary 
Ackland, two separate messages from Sir Edward Grey were read 
to the assemblage. 

"The dinner was held in the ballroom of the Royal Hotel, 
and in the corridor outside the band of the Royal Marines 
played American airs. 

' ' The toast of the evening was ' The Children of America. ' 
In proposing the toast Earl Beauchamp, who acted as chair- 
man, said it was quite impossible for the English government to 
allow an occasion of this character to pass without marking it by 
some serious notice. He then dwelt on 'How universal are the 
feelings of the people of this country with regard to the arrival 
of the Jason, and how deeply the people have been stirred by so 
splendid a spirit of kindliness from across the seas.' 

" 'We have felt during the last three months that it is no 
small satisfaction to us that we have signed the peace treaties 
which now exist between the United States and Great Britain. 
We feel, indeed, not that these treaties are necessary — we have 
never felt that any acute cause for a difference of opinion is likely 
to arise between America and ourselves — but we were glad to 
sign these treaties if only as a proof of our desire to do what we 
could to further the cause of peace. And I am not at all sure that 
during the next few months we shall not find, on the lines laid down 
by American statesmen, the basis of the future peace between the 
countries of Europe, and that they have set for us an example which 
every nation might very well follow. We feel at any rate in these 
treaties we have an additional reason for hope that no cause of dif- 
ference will arise between these two countries.' 

"Earl Beauchamp declared that to-day's thoughts of England 
are with the Jason. He said: 'In mythology Jason went forth 
and brought back great treasure, but this Jason brings a greater 
treasure than its predecessor.' The earl then read the following 
message from Lord Kitchener: 

" 'Please express on my behalf and that of the British army 
our cordial appreciation and grateful thanks for the kind thoughts 
of the American people. We welcome the freight the Jason 



36o THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

carries. It will bring pleasure to the homes of many of those 
whose fathers are away.' 

"After speaking of his pleasure at finding a number of people 
who now are doing something, the earl paid a tribute to the 
one who originated the plan of the Christmas Ship, and in 
conclusion he expressed the hope that the Christmas of the 
American people might be happier because of what they have 
done for the children of the poor soldiers in Europe. 

"Replying to Earl Beauchamp, the commissioner told of the 
inception of the idea of the Christmas Ship and of the wonderful 
enthusiasm with which it was taken up by the American public, 
giving many touching instances of individual acts of generosity 
by American children and adults in their desire to show sympathy 
with the suffering children of Europe. Under-Secretary Ackland 
arose at Earl Beauchamp's request and said he had another 
welcoming word from Sir Edward Grey. ' I am charged,' he said, 
' by Sir Edward to say how much he is touched by the Christmas 
Ship. So far as this country is concerned, it is an act of such 
kindly sympathy and friendship as can only increase the good 
feeling which so happily exists between our nations. We set 
much store on the peaceful and friendly relations with the 
United States which have endured for so long, and we take the 
graceful and gracious gifts which we have received to-day as 
evidence that among the rising generations these good relations 
will ever become more widely appreciated and more firmly based 
upon mutual understanding and good will.' 

"In the delightful verbiage of the old school Sir George 
Egerton, the admiral commanding in chief, proposed the health 
of the captain and officers of the Christmas Ship, to which 
Commander Courteney made response. 'The navy is glad,' said 
the commander, 'to discharge such a mission and to assist in 
alleviating the sufferings of war in which the Old World is now 
involved. ' 

"Fifty covers were laid for dinner, which was served in the 
Royal Hotel. The dining room was a mass of roses and chrysan- 
themums. The British army and navy were represented by the 
commandants of the Plymouth fortress and the navy yard. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 361 

Mayor Baker of Plymouth and Major Waldorf Astor were among 
the guests. 

"The gifts for France will be unloaded at Marseilles. Those 
for Germany and Austria at Genoa. Salonika is the point of 
debarkation for Serbia and Montenegro. The Russian presents 
are en route for Archangel on the steamer Korsk. The goods 
for Belgium are being unloaded in England, distribution taking 
place from there." 

The most interesting portion of this entire narration to me is 
the message from Lord Kitchener, not only because I predicted it, 
but because, in my opinion. Lord Kitchener is not only the most 
interesting figure in the history of the world to-day, but he is 
also the most significant and important. He dominates the war 
situation. He has more to do with the solution of the world's 
problem in this year of our Lord 191 5 than any other man living, 
and when the war is over, and the inside history of it shall be 
written, the people will be told, what now we only feel to be true, 
that Lord Kitchener's was the dominant master-mind which 
saved the day for the cause of Right against the hosts of Wrong ! 

If anything could make me proud, it would be that this great- 
est field marshal the world has ever known has paused in his grim 
work of directing a nation's war to take ofiicial notice of a thought 
of mine. 



24 



E 



CHAPTER XLI 

British Appreciation of Our Work of Love 

N GLAND took wonderful cognizance of the Christmas 
Ship, and this was cabled: 



"Arrangements for distributing England's share of the 
millions of Christmas gifts have been completed by the local 
government board charged with the task, according to the 
American ambassador, Walter Hines Page. 

"The ambassador's announcement was made to an enthu- 
siastic audience at a luncheon given at the American Luncheon 
Club in honor of the Jason's arrival. The arrival of the gifts 
in London will be celebrated by a reception, after which the sort- 
ing of the presents will be begun by the Drapers' Guild. The 
board expects to have complete information of the number of 
orphans and their location in the United Kingdom within a few 
days. It is the determined purpose of the government to see 
that the gifts reach those for whom the children of America 
intended them. 

"The children of America were warmly applauded at to-day's 
luncheon, at which many prominent guests, including Lord 
Northclifife, Sir George Ridell, Robert W. Skinner, American 
consul-general, and the foremost members of the American colony 
were present. 

"Lord Northcliffe made a happy speech describing the 
marvelous response of American children to the appeal of the 
Chicago Herald and the many other newspapers throughout 
the United States. 

"The Jason is preparing to leave Devonport to-morrow, and 
her officers were unable to be present. The commissioner 
described the organization of the enterprise and the enthusiasm 
of American women and children which made so difficult an 
undertaking possible. "Sir George Ridell repHed, paying high 

362 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 363 

tribute to the originality of Americans and the vigor with 
which they carry out unique ideas. 

"Ambassador Page, after explaining the arrangements for 
distributing the gifts in the United Kingdom, declared that the 
British and Belgium relief committees would cooperate in the 
work of delivery. 

"The London Times has the following editorial to-day: 

' ' ' The Ship of Good Will, the United States collier Jason, 
sails to-morrow from Plymouth to Marseilles, bearing her Christ- 
mas message from the land of peace to the land of war. On 
Thursday she began to land the British share ofthose seven mil- 
lion Christmas presents which she has brought from the United 
States to the children of the belligerent nations of Europe, and 
unloaded ; then will up anchor and away to spread the message of 
peace and good will over France and Belgium, over Germany and 
Austria, to far Serbia and Montenegro. 

" 'There is something inexpressibly touching in this most 
happy of thoughts. Great Britain will know how to value at 
its high worth this deed of kindliness and affection on the part 
of the greatest neutral nation. We know, moreover, how to 
appreciate the full significance of the gifts of these clothes and 
toys. These dolls and garments sent by rich and poor, by old 
and young, from the peaceful west to the riven east, are symbolic 
of the good time to come when wrong shall have been righted 
and arms laid down, and Europe may turn at last whole-heartedly 
to the true Christmas thoughts of peace and good will ! 

" 'In this moving enterprise we are told Chicago has taken 
a leading part, and all who know Chicago will agree that it was 
exactly like her. That warm-hearted and strenuous city on the 
lake has a way of doing things thoroughly when once she lays her 
hand to them, and if the Chicago Herald and other promoters of 
the scheme are proud men to-day, they have good cause for pride. 

" 'All the world will love the United States and Chicago 
better for this Christmas thought and Christmas gift." 

The following is from the official organ of the United States 
army, the Army and Navy Journal, dated December 12, 1914: 



364 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

' ' The United States collier Jason, Lieutenant-Commander 
Charles E. Courteney, arrived at Marseilles, France, December 5, 
and unloaded fifty wagonloads of Christmas gifts. The towns- 
people, massed upon the quays to watch the landing, gave a 
warm reception to the ship and the Americans. Her previous 
calling place was Devonport, England. The next stop of the 
Jason was at Genoa, Italy, where she arrived December 7 with 
gifts for the war orphans of Austria and Germany. She was 
stopped by three warships while on her way from Marseilles, but 
as soon as they learned the character of the vessel and her cargo 
they immediately drew off and wished Godspeed to the Jason 
and her mission. When Commander Courteney and officials 
from the Jason went ashore they were visited at their hotel by 
representatives of the German government, who officially wel- 
comed them and their gifts. The idea of sending a Christmas 
Ship bearing gifts to Europe, which resulted in the fitting out 
and sailing of the U.S. collier Jason, originated with Miss Lilian 
Bell. Miss Bell is a well-known author, the daughter of W. W. 
Bell, U.S. v., and sister of Captain James E. Bell, 2d U.S. In- 
fantry. Miss Bell, who is the author of The Love Ajffairs of an 
Old Maid, The Expatriates, The Runaway Equator, and other 
books, wrote the original appeal which the editor of the Chicago 
Herald took with him to read to the president, who at once prom- 
ised to have a ship assigned. She also designed the flag for the 
Christmas Ship — a white ground for Peace, the golden star of 
Hope, and the motto, 'Inasmuch.' In the new armory of the 
University of Illinois, the largest building in the world with- 
out interior supports, an audience of fifteen thousand, with 
seven thousand turned away, recently greeted Miss Bell as 
originator of the Christmas Ship idea, and the entire regiment 
lined up and presented arms to her." 

When the wireless announced the approach of the Christmas 
Ship the queen expressed her thanks. This dispatch was sent 
to the Chicago Herald: 

"Queen Mary has sent to Mrs. Walter H. Page, wife of the 
American ambassador, a letter of thanks for the Christmas gifts 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 365 

from American children to children in England and on the 
continent. The letter is dated at York Cottage, Sandringham, 
Norfolk, November 20, 1914, and reads as follows: 

"'My dear Mrs. Page: 

" 'Having heard of the approaching arrival of the steamer 
Jason bringing Christmas gifts of warm clothing from the children 
of the United States to the children of this and other belligerent 
countries, I am anxious to express through you my warm appre- 
ciation of this touching proof of generous sympathy, and to ask 
you to be so kind as to convey my heartfelt thanks to all who have 
contributed towards the presents, which will, I feel sure, be gladly 
welcomed by the children for whom they are intended, and 
received with gratitude by their parents. 

" 'Believe me, yours very sincerely, 

'"Mary R.'" 

In England as well as in America the Christmas Ship spirit 
touched the hearts of the poor in purse but the rich in brotherly 
love. Here is the touching sacrifice of time and self which the 
shopgirls of London made for the orphans of the war. Is n't 
this a wonderful example of that one touch of Nature, which 
makes the whole world kin? 

"More than one hundred girl employees of big department 
stores here volunteered their aid in unpacking and sorting Eng- 
land's share of Christmas gifts for children of soldiers and sailors 
at the front which were brought across the Atlantic by the Santa 
Claus Ship a week ago. 

"The spectacle of these girls, weary from a day's work behind 
coimters, gladly laboring from six in the evening till ten o'clock 
and even midnight, so that the youngsters all over the United 
Kingdom should have a little yuletide happiness, is a most 
impressive feature of the activities which are seething in that 
section of Earl's Court Exhibition Ground turned over to the 
government for distribution of the Jason's precious freight. 

"Herbert Samuel, president of the local government board, 
and Mrs. Samuel visited the Santa Claus headquarters this 



366 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

afternoon and spent over an hour watching the transferring of 
presents from the huge packing cases in which they came from 
the Jason's hold to smaller boxes, which will be shipped to hun- 
dreds of communities all over the British Isles in time to be 
handed to the ultimate receivers on Christmas Eve. 

"Mrs. Samuels talked with many of the shop assistants and 
expressed her lively gratitude for their generosity for offering 
their services. She said to the Herald correspondent: 'I think 
your newspaper and others which are responsible for this mo- 
mentous act of kindness would fully realize how much we in 
England appreciate the debt our children of England owe to the 
children of the United States if they could see what is being 
done here.' 

"Noel Kershaw, secretary of the local government board, 
has arranged to provide these girls with tea and supper in a room 
adjoining the huge hall in which the distribution is going on, and 
Sir Joseph Lyons, London's biggest caterer, is giving limches free 
to those who are on the job during the daytime. It is impossible 
to pay carfare for the girls, however; this constitutes a big item 
in the expenses of ship assistants, yet none of them have offered 
a single complaint on this score. In fact, Joseph R. Quilter, 
secretary of the Drapers' Chamber of Trade, which is carrying out 
the distribution, under the local government board's supervision, 
said almost every night he had to turn away eager volunteers, and 
could get as many as two thousand if they were needed. 

"The heavy labor of shifting the great packing cases from 
one place to another is performed by employees of metropolitan 
asylums, the board of which assumed control of Earl's Court 
when it became a retreat for Belgian refugees. The board is 
represented by G. A. Powell. Mr. Powell is devoting fourteen 
hours a day to the task, and so are Mr. Quilter and his two 
assistants, Alfred Flemmich and A. B, Lowry, all of whom are 
giving their services absolutely gratis. 

"There are still two thousand Belgian refugees at Earl's 
Court, and the jubilation which swept through these unhappy 
people when they realized their allotment of the Christmas gifts 
for Belgians in England was close to them, was glorious indeed." 



T 



CHAPTER XLII 

How Russia, France, and Germany Expressed 
Their Gratitude 

HEN the Christmas Ship steamed across the channel to Mar- 
seilles. Ambassador Jusserand had previously sent us this: 



"Editor the Herald, Chicago: 

"My government informs me that the Christmas gifts 
brought by the Jason will be distributed in accordance with 
the timely intention of the generous givers, who may be assured 
of the affectionate gratitude of the young recipients. In ac- 
cordance with instructions which I gladly fulfill I beg you to 
accept the thanks of the French Republic. 

"Jusserand." 

And earlier in the campaign we received from M. Delcasse 
the graciously worded appreciation of the most courteous 
nation the world has ever known. 

The French government had moved from Paris to Bordeaux, 
and at the time this message was sent Paris had ceased, tempo- 
rarily, to be the capital of France. This will sound odd, in years 
to come, but it is interesting to us now, because we saw when 
the papers announced it. 

The French ambassador is M. Jusserand. He transmitted 
the message to the various papers cooperating. 

"Bordeaux, September 25, 191 4. 
"French Ambassador, Washington: 

"The government of the republic views the generous initi- 
ative of the Chicago Herald and the newspapers associated with 
it with a profoimd sympathy, and prays you to address to the 
authors of the plan its hearty thanks. I have taken the neces- 
sary steps with the Minister of the Interior to turn over to the 
National Relief Committee the duty of distributing the gifts, 

367 



368 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

Please advise me of the date of departure of the ship which 
will transport the gifts, as well as the port in France where it 
will land them. When so advised I will notify the Minister of 
Finance in order that all customs facilities may be accorded it. 

"Delcasse" 

This meant that all cost of debarkation, all duties, customs, 
and so on, would be removed and the goods landed free of 
charge. The commissioner sent the following from Marseilles, 
December 6: 

"France extended a hearty welcome to the United States 
steamship Jason, the Christmas Ship bringing the gifts of the chil- 
dren of America to the war orphans of France. From the time 
of the Jason's arrival in the government dock, where the ship 
was berthed, until late this afternoon, Commander Courteney 
and the representative of the children of the United States were 
the recipients of official attention. 

"The historic, city of Marseilles was still sleeping when the 
Jason arrived at daybreak off the breakwater. A single blank 
cartridge fired by the fort caused the ship to anchor for ten 
minutes, then, with a pilot aboard, permission was given to 
proceed. 

"Bright sunlight flooded the picturesque hills studded with 
factories, whose tall chimneys furnished mute evidence of the 
industrial activity of this part of France, and the Jason finally 
entered the breakwater, steaming past the docks whereon were 
stationed soldiers clad in their striking blue and red uniforms. 
As the Jason backed into the berth there was seen on the dock 
a group of officials, representing the French government. As 
soon as the gangplank was put over the side Consul-General 
Gaulin mounted the ship, followed by Prefect Schrameck, a 
representative of the military governor of Marseilles, and the 
Comite de Secours National, the latter charged with the distri- 
bution of the gifts for the orphans of France. 

"Commander Courteney received the distinguished visitors 
on the gangway, and was introduced to them by M. Gaulin. 
M. Schrameck, with bared head, delivered a short and eloquent 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 369 

address and declared the historic sympathy and friendship 
which exists between America and France, and which always 
has existed since the time of Lafayette, was emphasized by the 
action of the children of America in remembering the distress 
of the orphans of France on Christmas Day. 

* ' * The action of the American children brings tears to my 
eyes from a full heart,' he said. 'Representing the French govern- 
ment, and in its name, I welcome you to Marseilles and thank 
you and the donors for their kindly thought and remembrance 
of us in this crucial hour.' 

" 'The children of America desire by this means to relieve 
to some slight extent the bleakness of Christmas for the orphans 
of France, and in their name I have the honor to deliver the 
proportion consigned to France,' replied the commissioner. 

"Commander Courteney said that, as a naval representative 
of America, he welcomed M. Schrameck to the Jason, and 
declared it a pleasure to him to take part in the children's 
movement and to visit Marseilles on such a mission as that 
with which he was intrusted. 

"The party was then escorted to the cabin, where an 
informal discussion was held relative to the amount of goods 
consigned to France. The hold of the ship was opened, and 
inspected by M. Schrameck and the others in the party, who 
expressed their astonishment and gratitude at the large number 
of gifts apportioned to this country. 

"Shortly after, M. Schrameck left the ship, whereupon 
Consul-General Gaulin, Commander Courteney, and the com- 
missioner paid formal calls on the prefect at the prefecture, 
on the military governor of Marseilles, and on the mayor and 
the captain of the port, all of whom personally reiterated their 
appreciation of the kind thoughtfulness of the American children. 

"M. Schrameck, General Serviers, commanding the fifteenth 
district. Colonel Boyer, military governor of Marseilles, and 
Consul-General Gaulin were present in the harbor to bid farewell 
to the Jason when the vessel departed. 

"From Genoa the Jason will proceed to La Rochelle to take 
on the French exhibits for the Panama- Pacific Exposition." 
25 



J 



370 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

The next we heard was the following, written to the Chicago 
Herald, December 6, but delayed in sending: 

"Over eleven hundred crates of Christmas gifts were landed 
by the Christmas Ship yesterday and during the early hours 
of this morning. They form a huge pile on the government 
dock and give evidence of American sympathy for the French 
sufferers of the war. 

"The first formal call to-day was made by the mayor of the 
city, who took occasion on behalf of Marseilles to express thanks. 
He manifested intense interest in the number and character 
of the gifts, asserting they were most welcome, especially at 
this time, because of the rigors of the winter. 

"The sailors on the Jason were given shore liberty, and 
found the city very hospitable. They declared they were not 
permitted to spend a penny in the cafes. To let it be known 
one came from the Jason was sufficient to bring forth warm 
expressions of thanks and an earnest desire to render courteous 
service. 

"One afternoon paper devoted a column of its small edition 
to the arrival of the Jason, and gave an editorial welcome 
couched in cordial terms. 

" 'To all the children of the great American republic,' said 
the editorial, 'we beg to convey the most grateful heartful 
thanks of all the orphan children of France.' 

"Just prior to the departure of the Jason this afternoon 
for Genoa the prefect. General Serviers, and others paid a 
farewell call. To the prefect the commissioner sent to-night 
a wireless message as follows: 

'"In leaving the hospitable shores of France we beg to 
reiterate to you, as well as to the French government, in the 
name of the children of America as well as our own, the expres- 
sion of our gratitude for the cordial welcome you extended us.' 

"A similar message was sent General Serviers. 

"Consul Jones, who boarded the Jason as soon as she was 
berthed in Genoa, told of the interest excited by the American 
children's ship not only in Germany and in Austria-Hungary, 
but in Italy as well. The latter nation has given instructions 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 371 

that every facility be accorded for landing the gifts and for 
transport to the Austrian frontier, whence they will be conveyed 
through Austria-Hungary and Germany. 

"With Consul Jones, the commissioner and Commander 
Courteney went immediately to a hotel, where a few minutes 
later the German delegation, with the Austria-Hungary consul- 
general, appeared. The German delegation comprised Baron 
Adolph Lutz, chamberlain to the King of Bavaria and counselor 
of the foreign ministry; Gottlieb Krais, counselor of the govern- 
ment of Munich; Hofrath Doctor Ferdinand May, and Franz 
Wonherff, German consul-general at Genoa. 

"Baron Miske, the Austrian consul-general, stated that 
the Austro-Hungarian delegation would arrive to-morrow morn- 
ing, when it will extend an official welcome in the name of the 
dual empire. 

"Speaking in his official capacity. Baron Lutz, chairman 
for the delegation, stated that the German government and 
people were touched by the kindly thought of the American 
children for the German orphans of the war and regarded it as 
evidence of the friendly regard of America for Germany, a 
regard which the entire empire highly prizes. Consul Wonherff 
spoke in similar terms. Baron Miske regretted that the Austro- 
Hungarian delegation had not arrived, but in the name of his 
government he said that he took great pleasure in expressing 
gratitude for the manifestation of friendship by the children 
of America for the orphans of the dual monarchy." 

When the commissioner arrived at Munich he had his first 
view of royalty, as told in the special cable dispatch to the Chicago 
Herald, from Munich, dated December 1 7 : 

"The Bavarian government in Munich paid high honor to 
the American children to-day when the American commissioner 
in charge of the Christmas Ship and the presents of the children 
of the United States to the war orphans of Europe arrived here, 
becoming the guest of the foreign office. 

"He was met at the station by Baron von Lutz, under- 
secretary of state. An hour later Baron von Lutz returned, 



372 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

accompanied by two children, one of whom presented a bunch 
of roses to the commissioner as a token of appreciation for what 
the American children have done for the Christmas Day of the 
German war orphans. 

"At noon the commissioner was presented to the king and 
queen. Their Majesties spoke of the highly appreciative and 
sympathetic action of the American children. 

" 'Tell them,' said the king, 'the German people realize the 
love and sympathy behind what they have done. It touches 
every German heart, and is in keeping with what might be 
expected of your countrymen.' 

"The queen spoke in similar terms. 

"At the end of the council chamber were two huge Christmas 
trees, with gifts dangling from the branches. A long table was 
decorated with flowers and Bavarian, German, and American 
flags. In the balcony were one hundred and fifty children from 
the public schools, who sang Christmas songs. 

"Speeches were made by Burgomaster von Borscht and 
Minister Landmann, president of the Bavarian Red Cross. 

"Mr. Borscht said: 'We recognize in these gifts proof of 
the friendly relations existing between our countries. With 
admiration our eyes are directed to President Wilson, whose 
wisdom and justice uphold the strength of the American people 
and whose earnest care is the reestablishment of peace. The 
glorious work undertaken by the children of America ranks 
among the noblest things brotherly love could bring forth. We 
never will forget what you have done for us and our fatherland 
at this time.' 

"In closing. Burgomaster von Borscht toasted the king, 
President Wilson, and the children of America." 

The Korsk, which carried the Russian share of our children's 
gifts, arrived in due season, and as the Russian Christmas is 
fourteen days later than ours there was time for the children to 
receive them and be made happy on Christmas Day. 

The czarina, the most beautiful empress in the world, sent 
the following acknowledgment: 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 373 

"Editor Chicago Herald: 

"I am in receipt of a cable from the imperial foreign office 
informing me that the Christmas gifts which through your 
initiative have been sent by the children of America to the 
Russian war orphans were dully received and distributed, and 
that her imperial Majesty, the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, 
has graciously instructed me to convey her Majesty's expressions 
of sincere gratitude to the children donors. Moreover, the 
empress desires that her thanks to the American children should 
be published in the papers and periodicals which took part in 
the organization of the Christmas gift to the war orphans. To 
you, as the promoter of the donation, I first address the above 
imperial message of thanks, and will be glad to hear if you will 
kindly transmit it to the other organs of the press which have 
contributed to the success of the generous idea of bringing com- 
fort to the children sufferers of the war. 
"Yours very sincerely, 

"G. Bakhmeteff, 
"Russian Ambassador" 

Here the history of the journey of the Children's Christmas 
Ship pauses. I do not know what happened next. 

The next thing which is worthy to be included in this book 
is an editorial from the Chicago Herald, published on Christ- 
mas Day. 

It was headed, "Made in the United States." 

"Made in the United States — a happy Christmas for one 
million unhappy children! 

' ' Think of being Santa Claus to one million whom Santa Claus 
otherwise would have forgotten! 

"Is n't there something in that which makes the words 'Made 
in America ' seem just a little bigger and deeper and more worth 
while than the capture of all the trade in the world ? 

"And yet this is just what the children of America did when 
they sent the Christmas Ship on its history-making and happi- 
ness-making journey across the sea! 



374 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"And underneath it there is an accompHshment that almost 
staggers imagination. This is a commercial, material age. 
Psychologists and sociologists love to tell us that brotherhood is 
dying from the face of the earth. And yet — 

"Over in Europe the boom of cannon, the cry of bugles, the 
beat of drums, the shriek of shells, and the moans of the wounded 
blended together into the terrible noise of war. And yet, above 
it all, a thin- voiced cry was heard across the thousands of miles 
of ocean which separated Europe from America. It was the 
cry of little children, bewildered, not understanding, unhappy. 

"It was heard by hundreds of thousands of little boys and 
girls and big men and women in America. And the response? 
The opening of little workshops in the homes of America — work- 
shops dedicated to the relief of suffering, to the manufacture of 
human love! 

"Two months passed, and the workshops had completed 
their toil. Long trains had rushed across the continent carrying 
warm clothing and toys to the waiting ship at the seaboard. 
There the articles were sorted and packed and swung aboard. 

"Another month passed, and the ship had reached port. 
From one nation to another it hurried — and at each unloaded 
the gifts which are to mean the difference between happiness and 
despair. 

"Gifts! Seven million of them! And yet with each went 
something greater — something that will grow bigger and better 
as the children to whom they are given grow into men and women. 
It will be love — selfless, disinterested, God-like. 

"Jane and John and Ivan and Frances and Paul and Marie — 
all their little dreams come true in the gift so tightly clutched 
in their arms! 

"And every one of the gifts was ' Made in the United States.' " 



CHAPTER XLIII 

Tributes to the Christmas Ship in Prose and Poetry 

MABEL HAUGHTON COLLYER of Washington and San 
Francisco wrote three lovely poems about the Christmas 
Ship, which have made her name a household word wherever the 
work is known. 

I recited the first one — "Inasmuch" — at the Press Club 
entertainment. 

The second came about in this way. 

The most interesting thing the commissioner recorded as 
happening, during the actual sailing from port to port was this — 
the Jason was halted three times by battleships! 

That was glorious! 

"The U.S.S. Jason arrived at Genoa after a trip from 
Marseilles during which it experienced the first real contact with 
war," said the Chicago Herald. "Three different times during 
the night the Jason was approached by French warships. 

"The first vessel signaled asking the name, flag, and the 
destination of the Santa Claus vessel. When the information 
was given the answer came, 'Sorry, Godspeed.' " 

"The second vessel to stop the Jason was a destroyer, which 
flashed her searchlight from stem to stern of the Jason and then 
sent a boarding officer. He requested to see the ship's papers, 
which were produced. He was informed that the Jason belonged 
to the American navy and was bound for Genoa to unload Christ- 
mas gifts. He immediately apologized, and wished us a pleasant 
voyage. 

"The third inquisitor was a converted cruiser, which mega- 
phoned its inquiry and extended best wishes when told of the 
nature of the mission." 

I was so thrilled by this first real contact with war (for I have 
always felt that I was on the Christmas Ship every step of the 
way !) that I wrote to Mabel CoUyer in San Francisco and said : 

375 



376 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP ] 

\ 

"If you and I had been on that ship, you would have written \ 

another poem about it! Think of the excitement of our ship "\ 

being halted, and the chagrin of the battleships when they ' 

discovered the Christ-errand she was on!" \ 

To which Mrs. Collyer wrote back: \ 

"I don't have to be on the ship to know how it felt. How is \ 

this? I have sent it to Mr. McVicker of the Pittsburgh Press. | 

Watch for it, and see if they publish it." \ 

They did — featured on the editorial page under the heading, I 

"Sorry! Godspeed! Sail on!" Here it is: | 

She sailed away to the seven seas — \ 

The Jason, proud, elate ! \ 

Her spangled banner to the breeze I 

Above its snow-white mate — \ 

The children's flag, with star of gold '; 

To guide her on her way, \ 

To bear a message ages old, l 

Yet new each Christmas Day ! : 

She sailed away to the seas of wrath, ; 

And alien ships of war \ 

All dipped their flags as she crossed their path \ 

In tribute to her store — ,; 

The children's gifts — the love serene \ 

That stayed the scourging whip ,i 

Of Gods of War, and like a queen \ 

Sailed on the Christmas Ship ! i 

Sailed on, till, from the dark arose 1 

A scout ship, lurking there, 1 

That cried a challenge, "Halt! Who goes? \ 

We claim the prize you bear ! J 

Halt! Or we fire!" The guns agleam 1 

Against a murky sky, k 

Bade fair to end the children's dream, * 

When came the swift reply: i 

" This is the good ship /a50w/ Hail! j 

Laden with golden store ! I 

Under the Stars and Stripes we sail ^ 

On quest of peace — not war! ] 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 377 

This is the Children's Christmas Ship. 

Search ! and but gifts you '11 find ! 
Only for them we make the trip, 

For the babes you left behind!" 

Abashed, the scout ship backward turns, 

' ' Sorry ! Godspeed ! Sail on ! 
Sail till the world your mission learns, 

And hails your benison. 
You have remembered ! We forgot 

Oxvc children's Christmas mom. 
Your star shines through the war cloud's blot, 

And tells us Christ is bom!" 

Sail on, thou tender woman's thought ! 

Sail through the hearts of men 
Till all have seen the starshine brought 

Beyond the war-hate's ken. 
Sail till the peace you pray and teach 

Shall girdle seas and lands. 
For farther than a war can reach 

Are stretched our children's hands! 

This poem was copied by the San Francisco Chronicle, the 
Washington Star, and many other of the newspapers which worked 
for the Christmas Ship. It has proved to be one of the most 
popular of all the poems inspired by the time and occasion. 

One of the most beautiful tributes to the Christmas Ship was 
written by Mrs. Charlotte Lay Dewey, for the Tacoma Ledger 
in the far-off state of Washington. 

It seems odd that this gifted writer, whom I do not know, 
should have such accurate knowledge of the story I was writing 
when the Vision Splendid came, for it is true that I was writing 
a fairy story for our own happy children — a sort of sequel to 
The Runaway Equator, and I call it The Land of Don't-Want-To." 
But nobody except myself knew it, as I thought. I must have 
told somebody, and that somebody told Mrs. Dewey! 

It does n't make any particular difference, yet it is odd. 

Here is Mrs. Dewey's tribute, under the heading, "The 
Dream That Came True": 



378 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

"Who has not heard of the Christmas Ship — the most 
wonderful ship that ever sailed the sea! And the story of its 
sailing is quite as wonderful as the ship and the treasure it carried. 
For it all came about through a dream, as so many wonderful 
things do, and, moreover, it was a vision that came to a woman. 

"This woman, Lilian Bell, was writing a fairy tale, for she 
is a spinner of stories, and this time she was telling a story for 
the children. As she wrote a vision came to her of the countless 
children across the water, homeless, hungry, heart-broken — 
mere flotsam upon a sea of death. And she remembered how a 
child's heart grieves without some joy note on that day, and 
then the dream came of a ship, a Christmas Ship, that should 
be laden with treasure by the children of America for the children 
of Europe. 

"So she told her dream to the editor of a great paper, the 
Chicago Herald, and he, too, instantly woke to the wonder of the 
dream and set to work to make it come true. He went at once 
to Washington, and President Wilson immediately promised a 
ship. Millions of wires sang as the message flew across the 
shining steel, and everywhere the magic words touched the hearts 
of the people like a flame. 

"They so burned in the heart of a woman far away that this 
lovely poem trembled from her heart to her fingertips. She sent 
it to her friend, Lilian Bell, and the poem, too, became a part 
of the dream and was read and recited and loved because it was 
written by a happy mother for mothers whose hearts were broken. 
And this is the poem: 

INASMUCH 

(Dedicated to the Children's Christmas Ship. By Mabel Haughton Collyer) 

There 's a sail on the sea that is stranger to all 

Of the warrior ships there at bay; 
She speaks from afar, and they answer her call. 

And salute as she goes on her way. 

For the flag that she flies is as white as a dove. 

With the gold star of Hope for its crest, 
And the word "Inasmuch" is the message of love 

That she bears to the nations oppressed. 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 379 

"Inasmuch! What ye do for the least one of these — 

Inasmuch! Ye have done it for me." 
Oh ! Bravely her flag is afloat on the breeze, 

For this ship has no foe on the sea. 

The warrior ships that crouch back in the dark 

Are abashed by her flashings of light ; 
Her signal is clear as the voice of a lark — 

"For the children!" she speaks through the night, 

There are mines in the sea — there is terror above; 

But our good ship sails on unafraid ; 
She is laden with hope — she is laden with love — 

To redeem the sweet promise He made. 

"Because of this, awakening commercialism forgot its greed — 
express companies, railroads, transfer companies of all kinds, 
gave free transportation to all consignments bearing the symbol 
'For the Christmas Ship.' Millionaires sent cheques for goodly- 
sums, but they were not more welcome than the fifty cents sent 
by the little cash girl who had saved them from her scanty wage. 

"And this great outpouring of love and service would not be 
satisfied with help for the children only. It rose in a great 
tide and flooded with its bounty all those poor people who, how- 
ever mad, however blind, were still sons, husbands, fathers, 
human beings, before they became warriors and kings. 

"Came the day when the ship sailed, and, strange to say, the 
name of the ship was the Jason. But far more priceless was the 
treasure she carried than any golden spoils of ancient Greece. 
Her flag also was a part of the woman's dream, and never carried 
by ship before. A great white banner, on which blazed a golden 
star, and underneath it the word 'Inasmuch.' And above the 
white banner floated the most beautiful flag that floats between 
the blue of the sea and sky — the only flag in all the world that 
could shield and protect the white banner below it — our own. 

"Came the day when the ship reached her port — that same 
Plymouth town from which, some three hundred years ago, a 
little band of Pilgrims set forth to find a new home and freedom. 

' ' Here she received a royal welcome, honors accorded those of 
highest rank, flowers beyond the telling. And thus it came about 



38o THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

that across those devastated, desolated countries, unchallenged, 
unafraid, messages of help and hope and love are reaching thou- 
sands upon thousands of heartbroken people who look up, 
smiling through their tears, because one woman dreamed a 
dream — and the dream came true!" 

The next thing the Pittsburgh Press pubUshed was a poem 
by J. E. Moore of Hubbard Woods, Illinois: 

THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

(Dedicated with cordial appreciation of her noble and successful efforts to 

Lilian Bell) 

Children are waiting there over the ocean, 

Dear little homeless ones, our next of kin, 
But there's a freight of love sailing to solace them 

Won't they be glad when their ship comes in? 

Peace, from the Prince of Peace ! Just for one lovely day 

There '11 be no anguish, no sorrow, no sin. 
Voicing the old, old cry, hear how the wee ones sigh — 

"We'll be so glad when our ship comes in." 

Calm may the billows be! Silent, the winds of God! 

Hushed, the storm's fury, the tempest's loud din. 
Clear may her pathway lie, while floats her standard high — 

" This is the Christmas Ship ! She must come in ! " 

Beauty she's bearing them, warmth for the shivering, 
Cornfort for troubled hearts, love all may win. 

Welcome for babes imbom, welcome and plenishing. 
Mothers will bless the ship — when she comes in! 

Halt ! 'T is the Truce of God ! Hats off, and banners up ! 

All are our own to-day, our kith and kin ! 
There is no enmity, brothers in truth are we ! 

God bless the Christmas Ship ! She has come in ! 

Letters are being received by persons all over the United 
States, written to the children of America by the children who 
received these gifts. 

The last beautiful poem which I have seen on the subject 



THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 381 

appeared in the columns of the Philadelphia North American, and 
was written by Mabel Haughton Collyer, who seems to be the 
Poet Laureate of the Christmas Ship, so loyal is she. 

THE RAINBOW 

(Dedicated to Lilian Bell, whose thought was the Children's Christmas Ship) 

Your thought was like the rainbow 

That flashed across the sky — 

A promise to the children 

The storm would pass them by. 

Though rumor of disaster 

Might reach them from afar. 

Safe in the thought your message taught 

Should shine their golden star ! 

Yotu- thought was like a rainbow 

That flashed to every land — 

Though war might seem triiunphant, 

Each heart wotild understand 

Yotir message to the children — 

The brooding mother love 

That sought a way man's wrath to stay — 

Your emblem — just the dove! 

Your thought was like the rainbow — 

Long may its promise gleam ! 

May men to come remember 

The beauty of your dream — 

The love gifts of your children, 

Your ship that sailed away 

And showed the world its flag unfurled — 

A truce for Christmas Day ! 

Your thought was like a rainbow. 

The mother heart enfolds 

The wealth of all creation; 

Within her arms she holds 

All promise of the futiue — 

The child upon her knees ! 

God has not given to earth or heaven 

The worth of one of these ! 



382 THE STORY OF THE CHRISTMAS SHIP 

This is the true story of the Christmas Ship. 

Newspapers tell of little children lying dead by the roadside, 
with bullet wounds in their tender little bodies — just such little 
bodies as happy mothers love to tuck into warm beds at night. 
And they tell us of frightened babies stumbling after strange 
forms, vainly seeking mothers whom they will never see again. 

Oh, the weeping of little children! I heard it — before the 
Vision came. 

When I think of the tears pouring down childish faces, and 
of the fright and grief this war is daily bringing to thousands of 
little hearts, the only comfort I have is to remember that the 
Christmas Ship — sailed! 



Daacidified using the Bookkeeper process 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
Treatment Date: JUN 2001 

PreservationTechnologie: 

A WORLD LEADER IM PAPER PHESEflVATIO! 

111 Thomson Park Drive 



"5* 



